Evan Williams White Label Bottled in Bond Bourbon

BUDGET BOTTLED-IN-BOND BOURBON COMPARISON Evan Williams Bottled-In-Bond Old Tub Bottled-In-Bond Wild Turkey 101 I recognize that WT101 isn't bottled-in-bond, but it fits the budget bourbon category and is only 1 proof higher than the others, making it a reasonable inclusion for comparison, even if it might be a bit older. A side-by-side tasting seemed like a good idea, especially on a college football Saturday as a pregame ritual. Evan Williams Bottled-In Bond This is my first time trying this Heaven Hill brand. Its color is a clear Pantone 138. The sweet aroma offers an initial note of tangy barbecue sauce, followed by orange, caramel, and vanilla. The palate is rich, with substantial flavor depth featuring sweet corn, simple syrup, and peppery spice, accompanied by a pleasant ethanol warmth. The moderately long finish is predominantly sweet, with oaky vanilla notes. It lacks any harshness or bitterness. This is simply delicious. The aromas and flavor depth are impressive, and the Bottled-In-Bond characteristic is evident. This Evan Williams expression is an excellent neat sipper and would also perform well in cocktails at 100 proof, all at an affordable price. At just over $20, the value is exceptional. I'm surprised I hadn't tried this before, but it will definitely be a regular in my collection. A solid 4.0 from me. Old Tub Bottled-In-Bond This Jim Beam brand is also new to me. Its color is a clear Pantone 144. The nose is fruity and distinct from the EW, with notes of pomander, apple pie, caramel, and vanilla. The palate is bold, presenting sweet mulled cider and cigar box aromas. The finish has hints of cinnamon and vanilla, lasting from short to medium. The ethanol is present as expected, balanced with the intensity of the flavors. I'm glad I tried Old Tub. Like the EW, its 100 proof makes it suitable for sipping, on the rocks, or as a cocktail base. It's also around $20, offering great value. While not quite as impressive as the EW for me, I'll keep a bottle of this on hand as well. A 3.5 rating. Wild Turkey 101 This is a familiar Wild Turkey brand. Its color is a clear Pantone 138. The aroma is more focused on caramel and vanilla compared to the EW and OT, with notes of banana bread and a hint of orange. The characteristic high-rye spice of WT is noticeable on the palate. The texture is slightly viscous, more so than EW and OT, likely due to extended barrel aging. The finish is medium to long, with vanilla and cinnamon. Wild Turkey 101 is a staple for me; I haven't disliked any WT product. They possess a distinct house profile derived from a single mashbill for their bourbons. It costs about $1-2 more than the EW or OT but likely has a longer aging period. Outstanding. A 4.0 rating. Note: All spirits were tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

Distillery: Heaven Hill Brand: Evan Williams Region: Kentucky, USA Proof: 100 | 50% ALC/VOL MSRP Range: $17 - $22 Mash Bill: Corn - 78% | Rye - 10% | Malted Barley - 12% Color: A lighter shade than expected for a bonded spirit; 'Honeycomb Gold' Personal Takeaway: This gives off major "house wine" of bourbon vibes, and that feels generous, but it's mostly noted for its price. I won't seek it out or really recommend it, except maybe to a college student on a tight budget wanting to explore whiskey. Possibly. On The Nose: Very vanilla-forward and syrupy; it coats the glass well, and you get a very distinct baking spice aroma immediately, perhaps even like gingerbread to some. With continued smelling, caramel undertones emerge, but they're not strong at all. As the oak fades, a hint of peppery spice appears on the finish. It's smoother, especially for its proof, but quite dry, not sweet and, dare I say... basic? Parading The Palate: Its nickname should be the fast-fading whiskey. Seriously, the sweetness disappears quickly, and woody oak notes arrive right away. It's actually much drier than you'd think as it sits. As It Finishes: There's almost no sweetness, and as the dryness sets in, it almost tastes like I imagine a mouthful of sawdust would. Maybe there's a slight nuttiness, but I can only taste the oak heavily. It's almost the only prominent flavor after the dryness settles since the sweetness vanished long ago. In summary, considering how much this is called a 'fantastic value,' I think that's a bit overblown. I bought a bottle of Old Forester 86 for the same price ($18.99 + tax) and would even pay up to $5 more for that bottle over this one, even if this one were $5 cheaper than what I paid.

To get ready for a pub crawl, I planned a bourbon-based mixed drink. The choice of bourbon was crucial: it needed to be affordable, stand up well to mixing, and possess decent flavor. This seemed to meet those criteria (based on reviews of good mixing bourbons). But how does it taste on its own? Nose: Sweet vanilla pudding aromas. Caramel mingling with cinnamon baking spices. Initially, it's encased in oak wood, which fades, leaving a sweet, custard-like aroma. Palate: Wood, oak, and spice saturate the palate. A slight sweetness passes through briefly. Almonds and toasted marshmallow complement the oaken spiciness. White and black pepper emerge and become more prominent towards the finish. Finish: The tongue tingles upon finishing, and this sensation lasts for a while. White pepper and caramel ride the woody dryness for a considerable duration. Overall: This is a surprisingly good budget whiskey. It has a pleasant aroma with a robust flavor for its price point. It holds its own as a sipper. However, its best application is as a mixer. Its strong character ensures it remains prominent regardless of what's added. [$33/1.75][84/100][Tasted: 3/15/24]

I'm enjoying this! I'd heard from some others that Evan Williams BiB has banana bread notes, which is my preferred flavor in spirits, so I had to try it. I poured a neat measure into a shot glass and let it rest for ten minutes. My nose was very pleased with Evan Williams White Label BiB. I detected caramel, nuts, and banana bread. The banana bread flavor is prominent on the palate. There's very little burn. The finish is rather long and pleasantly warm with some vanilla and the banana bread taste persisting. And it's an excellent value too!

NEAT NOSE - Caramel, Vanilla, and Oak PALATE - The palate mirrors the nose. Unfortunately, as soon as the flavors reach the palate, they vanish almost instantly. This is this bourbon’s main drawback, but for its price, it's a good bourbon with classic notes. The finish is simply nonexistent. Mildly sweet. FINISH - Painfully short. BUY? - It’s a great bottle for the price, but it’s nothing special. I’d get a bottle at least once to see if it’s a one-time thing or a permanent addition to your bar/collection. BUY AGAIN? - Probably not. The finish is too brief for my preference.

Finally acquired this bottle after much discussion and reading. It's also $18.99 and always available. Absolutely no regrets, this is delicious. Sampled neat. On the nose, it's sweet with notes of caramel, vanilla, sugar, wood, toffee, and cherry vanilla cola or Dr. Pepper. On the palate, it's sweet and smooth with hints of white pepper, almonds, caramel, and also cherry cola. I will be repurchasing this and keeping it stocked.