Evan Williams Black Label Bourbon (43%, OB, 2017)

• Category: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Origin: Heaven Hill Distillery
• Bottling: Heaven Hill, Evan Williams
• ABV:  43%
• Cost: £24.83

What They Say

Evan Williams is a smooth, easy to drink Bourbon named after Evan Williams who, in 1783, opened Kentucky’s first commercial distillery along the banks of the Ohio River. Many years and barrels later, we’re still producing Bourbon with the same time-honored methods that Evan Williams did years ago.

Today, Evan Williams is the second largest selling Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey in the US and the world, distilled just a few blocks from the site where Evan himself built his distillery.

Evan Williams Black is 86 proof and aged far longer than we are required to by law. That proof and age leads to a Bourbon that we are proud of, made our way, and that is always rich, smooth, and full of character.

Official tasting notes:

• Color: Medium Amber
• Nose: Light with deep vanilla and mint
• Taste: Notes of oak, brown sugar and caramel
• Finish: Medium to long

What I Say

The standard Evan Williams expression carrying a black label on the bottle, until recently this used to declare an age-statement of 7 years old. Now however it is declared as ‘Extra Aged’ and reputed to be constructed from Bourbon’s distilled at Heaven Hill distillery and matured from 5-7 years. A big seller in the US where its smoothness is appreciated.

My tasting notes:

• Appearance: Copper amber (11/20) numerous medium tears and legs
• Nose: Light toffee and caramel sweetness, vanilla, maple syrup, brown sugar, Murray mints, spearmint cream toffe candies, leathery tannins and oak wood
• Taste: Sweet, sugary fudge, caramel sauce, maple syrup, minty, spearmint, Murray mints and caramel corn candies, toffee covered popcorn, some spices like cinnamon, vanilla and clove
• Finish: Dry, sweet, peppermint, candy corn, mint and white pepper

Overall:

A pleasant enough Bourbon with hints of spice and mint, plenty of Corn and Rye grain influences. Less wood influence than I like in my Bourbon or would prefer but pretty solid nonetheless.

Score 80/100

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