Evan Williams Black Label

Evan Williams Black Label – Fourth of July Pour Appearance A rich, golden amber in the glass—bright and inviting, with just enough weight to remind you it’s bourbon, not caramel-colored water. Nose Sweet and familiar, like simple syrup with a touch of vanilla. There’s a delicate floral quality here too, soft and almost airy, hinting at what’s to come. Palate The first sip lands with surprising sweetness—light simple sugar and vanilla up front. As it lingers, a subtle floral note blooms, seamlessly giving way to a clean fruitiness reminiscent of fresh pear or a crisp green apple. It’s not overwhelming or showy—more like a quiet nod from an old friend. Finish Longer than expected for its price point. Even minutes later, the fruitiness hangs on, soft and refreshing, leaving a pleasant, slightly dry memory of orchard fruit. Overall Evan Williams Black Label is a humble pour that exceeds expectations. It isn’t trying to impress bourbon snobs—it’s here for summer nights, honest conversations, and vinyl spinning softly in the background. For under $25 for a 1.75L, it punches far above its weight. --- A Toast to the Black Label by Sophie Golden bourbon, simple and sweet, Vanilla on the nose, soft floral beneath. A kiss of orchard—pear or apple— Lingering like a song that won’t quite settle. Here’s to easy evenings, Stars and stripes on glass, And the kind of whiskey That lets the world slow down at last.

A friend of mine bartends private events as a side gig and presented an unopened handle of this swill stating that "she knows I like whiskey". You know those moments when you know better? Like... you know you shouldn't drink this stuff.... but how hell can someone turn down 1.75 L of free booze, even if it is seemingly terrible? Even more so when the friend offering it to you is insanely attractive? ( Hey, what can I say? Sex sells. ) It can't be THAT bad, right? The nose is kind of funky on this. I smell caramel, apples, some peanuts and a little vanilla. The nose is very light, so breathe deep ( if you actually WANT to smell it ). The opening has a weird, powdery mouth feel with vanilla, burnt oak, ethanol and rye. It hits all at once, so don't look too hard for the complexity. The finish carries the rye spice and with it: drier tastes like leather. It's a somewhat long lasting albeit a very simple finish. I don't know...for this price point I thought I'd be spitting this stuff out. But it's not undrinkable. I'd happily accept a pour if I was already pretty drunk and couldn't make out one taste from another anyway. For this price you can do a LOT worse.

EW black label and I go back a little ways. For quite a few years now it has been my cheap bourbon of choice for a number of reasons but ill keep it short. 1) Lets face it, its cheap! In an era where bourbon prices are increasing dramatically, we can all appreciate the $15 or so price tag attached to this bottle. For $15 or less it is VERY difficult to beat EW Black. 2) Is it the best tasting whiskey? Of course not, its not even really a great whiskey if we are being honest here but thats not the point. Its a great mixer at a great price, that depending on your pallet can be tolerable neat or on rocks. Taste: I myself get a very pronounced spice taste with subtle vanilla, nut, and oak flavors as well. There is a noticeable but not overwhelming ethanol/alcohol taste accompanying it as well. Conclusion: For the price its hard to beat, its a perfect mixer and honestly just a solid choice if you’re on a budget. If you compare it to $30-$50 whiskeys you will be disappointed, but if you compare it to those in its price range, you will not be disappointed.

I don’t think this needs any introduction. If you like bourbon, and you’ve ever been on a college budget, you’re familiar with Mr. Evan Williams. If you don’t, this is Heaven Hill’s ultra-budget option. Let’s get into it. Nose: Dusty corn and sawdust. Vanilla. Peppercorn. Oak, clove, and nutmeg. Barrel char and pipe smoke. Dried apricot. Palate: Caramel and brown sugar. Vanilla/vanilla frosting. Dusty corn and sawdust. Heavy on the oak. White and black pepper. Clove and nutmeg. Cocoa. A bit of gala apple. Cotton candy. Finish: Some almond. Clove, nutmeg, white pepper. Brown sugar, caramel, and fudge. Oak and black pepper. Pipe smoke and cocoa. Moderate length, leaning toward short. Not too shabby for a bottom-shelf, sub-entry level mixer whiskey. It’s not what I’d call robust, but it’s also a fairly clean pour with nothing offensive to write home about. VFM is there in spades at $19. 3.5/5.

Nose: Loads of brown sugar, fresh caramel, caramel coated red candy apples, fresh ground cinnamon, banana, smoky barrel char, cajeta, cinnamon red hots candy, reduced apple cider with honey and cinnamon, fresh new oak, dried apricots, sweet oak char, some treacle, some mild rye bread infused with cinnamon and raisins, some perfumey oak essence, almonds, a hint of star anice, peanuts, candy corn, creamed corn, sweet corn, sweet tea aged in sweet oak Palate: Buttery and sweet pancakes with syrup, sweet toasty oak, brown sugar and cinnamon dusted toast with margarine, some rye herbaceous notes, slight peach note, bittersweet herbal notes, green paprika, a hint of black pepper, fresh caramel Finish: Sweet tea, fresh oak, creme brûlée, caramel candy apples, red apple skins, bittersweet oak spice, sweet cream

I didn't take extensive notes when I last had this. I recall the oakiness and some caramel on the palate. I had this a couple of months ago and was surprised that I actually enjoyed it. My prior experience with this about five years ago was a bit "Jekyll and Hyde." Sometimes it was OK, and sometimes it was a bit bitter. My palate was definitely not refined back then. Would I go out of my way to purchase this? Probably not. For a cheap weeknight pour, I prefer Jim Beam White Label. Would I drink this if it's offered to me? Absolutely.