Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage 2010

Inexpensive and I think I know why. Dude this glass bottle is so boring. If you are shallow you won’t be buying this. If you’re a book under the cover judger you might be pleasantly surprised. As far as the juice in the ugly vessel, it’s more diamond than rough. Let me see if I can nail this in one take: Cinnamon fruit cake cornbread wrapped in honey-dipped sun-dried leather strips eaten with fresh hand-carved oaken chopsticks. Yep. That’s what this is like. Anyone tells you otherwise is a liar or at least less imaginative. So if you’ve already done that, by that I mean eaten the cornbread prepared like that and in that manner then there is nothing for you here in the way of new experience unless you’re on the hunt to collect all the Heaven Hill ugly ass bottle club members. Cuz dude that glass bottle is ugly.

Color: honey, light copper, great legs Nose: vanilla, butterscotch, hint of oak; very inviting Palate: light, minty, lots of vanilla, caramel, balanced oak undertone; as advertised by the nose Finish: modest heat; tapers off fairly quickly, but lingers with wintergreen Good, but would be better with more body and around 100 proof. It feels a bit watered down. The mint/wintergreen aftertaste is really nice.

Bottle poured neat into Glencairn at home. Barreled on 7-23-10, barrel 49, bottled on 11-27-17. Nose has the caramel and butterscotch I loved from the 2011, though not as prominent; lots of oak comes on, along with some heat. Taste is oaky and spicy, with some citrus notes. Nice long aftertaste, drinks a tad hotter than the proof. Decent, though I prefer the 2011. 6/9/19

I’d expect a single barrel to be at least 90 proof, but for ~$30, this definitely brings enough complexity to really enjoy. It’s an easy sipper that is smooth and enjoyable for any occasion. Mint is a common theme, with a nice balance of sweetness. Medium finish. Overall a solid pour! 7.9/10

Just a hint of medicine on the nose. Certainly not offensive. In the mouth and in the finish it is a very good bourbon. I almost rated it higher but nothing really distinguishes it from a stereotypical bourbon. Typical flavors of vanilla, spice and some nuttiness, but all underwhelming.

2010: Nose: having trouble getting much. Very smooth. My bottle be too oxidized. Some grains and young oak. Taste: lots of yummy bright spices rolling around with green apples and oakyness. Lasting spice tingling finish.