Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage

A bourbon appearing in my glass, a seldom event. This pour from barrel number 1146 was filled on June 18, 2013, and bottled on November 5, 2021. Kindly gifted by a friend. Nose: Sweet, buttery, and caramel-rich corn (as expected). A faint dusty or grain-like undertone carries some wood shavings and a hint of herbal-menthol. Palate: Unexpectedly bright and energetic. Sweet, yes, but with a profound sweetness. Beyond corn and vanilla, expect candied ginger, strawberries and cream, dried orange peel, and a touch of honey. A pleasant warmth complements a well-matched astringency, showcasing oak and a peppery spice. The palate's conclusion hints at a leathery quality. Finish: Moderate. Notes of coconut, a bit of cocoa powder, dark caramel, and a fresh red berry essence. While my bourbon knowledge is limited, I appreciate the leathery and rich caramel notes found in bourbons I enjoy, such as Woodford Double Oak and Russell's Reserve. This expression surprised me. Despite a somewhat uninspired nose, the palate and finish provided a diverse and vibrant flavor journey that left me questioning my identification of the spirit. It's a genuinely enjoyable and intriguing dram that I'd happily keep stocked.

Since it's now exclusively a Kentucky product, I'm finding it much harder to locate, and the price has climbed to $40-50 per bottle. I've only encountered two bottles in the past year. The first was quite good; this one is just okay. Twenty years ago, this was a top choice for me. It was released twice annually with plenty of availability and was ten years old. A few years back, it became an eight-year-old product, diminishing some of its complexity. Shortly after the switch to the 8-year age statement, HH representatives assured me supply issues would be resolved. Yet, supply remained scarce for three to four years. Earlier this year, I discovered a 2014 bottle, which was very good, boasting an excellent aroma and a deep, rich palate. This 2015 bottle lacks aroma and depth. We compared it to an open bottle of 1783, and everyone preferred the 1783. This is a single barrel product, so experiences may vary, but this particular bottle is significantly different after distribution was reduced and pricing almost doubled. I haven't given up on it, and perhaps my expectations are too high, but I won't actively seek it out.

Nose: Features the typical vanilla and caramel notes with a touch of fruit. A sweet scent. Taste: Similar to the nose, offering a traditional bourbon flavor profile. Smooth vanilla, caramel, and brown sugar at the start. The initial sweetness persists throughout, giving way to subtle oak notes at the end. Finish: A moderate finish with mild spice and warmth. A faint leather and oak note lingers, inviting another sip. Overall: A classic bourbon that, for me, surpasses others. I appreciated the EW White Label, making this Single Barrel a delightful experience. It's my go-to for sipping. Hard to beat at or near MSRP. It's unfortunate it will only be available outside of Kentucky going forward. I'll definitely make an effort to ask for it when purchasing whiskey. If you find it for under $35, get it and try it. Rating: 6.75/10 on the t8ke scale (almost a 7, but not quite. Still a great selection). 6 | Very Good | A cut above.

Evan Williams Single Barrel 2016, Barrel #217, aged 8 years, 3 months, 18 days. Color: Auburn. Nose: Savory smoke, oak, vanilla cola, powdered sugar, bubblegum, mint, and hickory smoke. Neat: Dry overall with a medium body. Prominent oak and savory hickory smoke upfront, followed by vanilla cola and bubblegum in the mid-palate. The finish has black pepper and a mild, growing warmth with a Kentucky hug. Tannic oak and bubblegum layer the palate and intensify with each sip. With a splash: The nose picks up a slight plastic note, while vanilla and tannins become more dominant. The finish sweetens and becomes minty, with less dryness. Verdict: A welcome and surprising local find. This is an excellent barrel with a unique flavor profile and fantastic value at $40. I plan to purchase another bottle.

PUT INTO OAK // 2015 BARRELED ON // 10.6.15 BARREL No. // 511 BOTTLED ON // 3.14.24 NEAT NOSE - The moment I sniff this pour, I brace myself for disappointment. I have to bring the bourbon almost directly to my nose to detect any aroma. Nevertheless, I do detect very faint hints of caramel and oak. PALATE - Still disappointed. After swirling the bourbon in my mouth, I only detect faint caramel notes. FINISH - A completely unexpected outcome. The finish presents an explosion of caramel, cinnamon, honey, and oak! It certainly wasn't what I anticipated, but this one took me by surprise! Medium finish, no burn. WORTH BUYING? - Absolutely. I hope they continue to release these outside of Kentucky. I was surprised to find this in Texas, knowing these were exclusively available in Kentucky. BUY AGAIN? - Yes. It offers great value for the price and is an amazing sipper.

This bottle was instrumental in my journey into sipping bourbon. Its disappearance from shelves for a period, followed by its return, is noted. It remains an excellent value. The aroma is minimal, possibly due to sipping with ice. The palate, perhaps better assessed without ice, offers a unique birthday cake note alongside caramel. The finish has a peculiar two-part character: an initial hint of pickle alcohol fades, giving way to a traditional sweet cinnamon.