Hannah’s Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond Review
Original review written September 26, 2021
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
A $15 Bottled-in-Bond bottle that tastes good? Color me surprised, and anticipate Evan Williams BiB being a constant in the bunker. 86/100
VITALS:
– Made In: Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Heaven Hill Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; Bottled in Bond
– Age: nas (at least 4 yrs. old)
– Mash Bill: Corn=78%; Rye=10%; Malted Barley=12%
– Casks: Char #3
– Charcoal filtered
– Barrel Entry Proof: 125
– ABV: 50% (100 proof)
– Price: $14.95 USD in Idaho
Visit https://heavenhill.com/ for more information
ENJOYMENT METHOD:
I enjoyed the spirit neat from a Glencairn glass with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.
Check out his review for this bourbon here!
SETTING:
This is a simple bourbon to enjoy in situations when you won’t be thinking about complexity. As such, I could easily see Evan Williams Bottled in Bond being a spirit to reach for if available on a plane. Look out the window at clouds, the sky, the wing, and just wait patiently to get to your destination. This bourbon will be easy company, for sure.
Photo by Ross Parmly on Unsplash
NOSE:
A sweet, caramelly oak erupts from the glass on the first inhale, and it is quite mild. I also get a bit of dark vanilla, simple syrup, and almond. The alcohol is so gentle, it’s hard to believe that this is 100 proof. This isn’t complex at all, and it’s very difficult to pull any other aromas out from the glass. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, and at this price, I’m not expecting to be particularly wowed. It smells good, sweet, and I’m already ready to take a sip.
PALATE:
– Mouth Feel: Slightly raspy. What little rye there is, in the mash, is likely responsible. I like this aspect a great deal, and I think it elevates the overall impression and quality of the pour.
– Balance: Solid. Neither outstanding, or disappointing, but it is surprisingly great for the price.
– Visual: Honey in color, I get a defined crown and slow-dropping, fat legs.
– Taste: This is oaky, with the tip of palate flaring up in a burst of white pepper and rye. The vanilla and almond are still present from the nose, and there may be some light, light cherry blossoms with it. Again like the nose, this is very simple in taste, but what is here, is very enjoyable. The alcohol is also very mild, but I do enjoy that aforementioned hint of spice to liven things up. A Kentucky chew doesn’t hurt, and kicks up some of the spice and cherry, so it’s actually a very entertaining and fun exercise.
FINISH:
– Lasting Power: Short-medium. There’s a playful tingle of heat on the palate, and a little bit of flavor lingering after the sip is gone.
– Between Sips: A bit of the cherry blossoms stick around between sips, but flavors do fade away quickly.
– No More: This stays consistent and enjoyable the further into the glass I go, and overall, I can say I’m very pleased with this bourbon. It’s not often that we find something so inexpensive that has quality quite like this. I’m looking forward to my next pour (perhaps I’ll try it as a follow-up to a higher proof, casual pour in the future).
The empty Glencairn is a soft and buttery oak with a very subtle touch of spice. It smells warm and comforting and very delicious.
WORTH THE PRICE?
It’s a good bourbon, and it’s $15 USD. Absolutely, this is worth it!
EVAN WILLIAMS BOTTLED-IN-BOND REVIEW RATING: 86/100
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