Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage 2012

We get this bourbon for 25.99 where I live. I think for that price it is very good. I just picked up a bottle the other day. Barrell #541 barreled on 2/9/12 bottled 3/5/20. Not as smooth as the last time I bought it. This one is a little hot and I can taste a lot of peanut in it. I probably wouldn’t buy it if it was $30+ I got Buffalo Trace for $19.99 and I personally think it just as good. Maybe better. I love this site. I’d like to see people leave more suggestions when leaving a review. Buffalo Trace Elijah Craig or even Wild Turkey 101 for starters. Peace!

Evan Williams proves once again to be an incredible value and just an all around great bourbon. The professional review is spot on. Strong with the sweet vanilla and a dry finish of leather and cherry. It's not as complex as a Four Roses Single Barrel but it is every bit as enjoyable. I can find this one a heck of a lot easier too. I don't think I would care what vintage I find next time, if I see the name Evan Williams, I'm just gonna trust it.

Light honey color Oak char nose Very forward oak bomb medium mouth feel to complex flavors of lavender, to vanilla. With cube the mouth feel stays the same but as predicted the complexity unfolds still very floral to bubble yum / cinnamon finish that is pleasing and long even for a lower proof. This is easy one to have on hand for daily and friendly drinking specially at the price point.

For under $30, this is a great single barrel expression (and an 8 year bourbon at that). It’s an easy sip at under 90 proof and it’s something that I’ll drink occasionally. I’d confidently serve this up to guests who might not be big bourbon drinkers knowing I’m pouring them something decent. This is very good - a cut above. Barrel 915 barreled on 2-1-12 and bottled on 5-8-20.

*disappointed trombone noise* This was actually the first EW variety that I didn’t care for much. The nose had green apple and a fair bit of oak. The palate was pleasant at first but then gave way to a tannic, oaky unpleasantness. The finish was my favorite part- big vanilla notes with lingering candy corn. Not atrocious but not a quality SiB pick in my opinion.

Mild bourbon. Nose has some sweetness, with slight hint of vanilla and caramel, and a lot of sweet corn. Corn, oak, and leather follow on the palate. Quick, mild finish of oak and burnt sugar, with a hint of char. Probably easily in my top 10.