The color is a deep and rich amber and it leaves a veil of oil on the sides of the glass that quickly turns to heavy legs that run all the way down the glass. The nose starts immediately with a great balance of vanilla and toasted oak that on a second take begins to mix with a rye spiciness that has an almost spearmint and floral quality to it. As it opens up, all these notes come pleasantly together and is joined by touches of coconut and sweet butter. The palate is dry and chewy and fills the mouth with vanilla and toasted oak, followed quickly by a burst of baking spices, mostly cinnamon. It melts together for a very creamy mouthfeel, with the whole experience wrapping up with floral rye filling the mouth. The finish is medium long and oaky with vanilla lingering while the notes of baking spices keep the mouth feeling hot and spicy. The finish is not as long as hoped for as the creaminess fades before you realize it, which was the most pleasing element of this bourbon. Despite being 23 years old, it doesn't show its age and it stays rather tame.
About this bottle
Only available domestically at the Heaven Hill Bourbon Heritage Center, Evan Williams 23 year old is one of the oldest American whiskies on the market. Bottled at a robust 107 proof (53.5% abv), this bourbon features a deeper wood influence thanks to its long maturation period.
How it tastes
Measured across 14 flavor axes. Tap a note to find other bottles that lead with it.
Reviews
Showing the most detailed of 14 parsed reviews.
2018 109 Proof Nose: Oak and more oak, sweetness, vanilla and caramel ( tannins or ethanol when 1st poured and nosed)?? Palate a lot of the same oak, sweetness, vanilla and caramel Finish smooth at 1st then tannic wood, a little hot, long lasting, For the price point of a bottle nice to try but not worth it to me to spend $350 for a bottle, although 23 years Heaven Hill juice does command some respect.
Second time trying it this time it's out of a fresh crack that was bought in Kentucky at Evan Williams and have to say that it tastes much better than my last pour which was in a 2 oz Boston round and rated 3.75 as had off taste with tannins or ethanol as I recall. This very well-rounded dram Nice nose Delicious pallet Finish flawless
Classic bourbon notes captured with a wonderful balance of mouthfeel and finish. The proof point is fantastic for the 23 year age statement. Currently the best tasting bourbon I have had. In spite of the extremely high MSRP, I still give this a perfect score due to the aforementioned notes.
Beautiful flavor with a surprisingly floral tail that is refreshing and exciting. Wonderful whiskey but not quite wonderful enough for its high price.
Put it in a blind test of 9 bourbons and whiskeys. It was hands down the worst. Nose and initial taste was noce but the finish was absolutely awful.
8 more reviews were collected for this bottle. The longest ones are shown first.
Tastes like this
Closest flavor profiles across the whole catalog.