Last Updated on March 1, 2024 by Lydia Martin
Evan Williams is a familiar bourbon brand for anyone with a soft spot for drinking American whiskey.
It is one of the leading bourbon brands with an impressive lineup of core and flavored expressions.
There’s more than just one Evan Williams, so we did a blind tasting of all the expressions, and below are the best Evan Williams bourbons that exceeded our expectations.
Top 5 Best Evan Williams Bourbons (Ranked)
5. Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Average Price: Roughly $17.99 (Total Wine)
Alcohol Content: 43%
Why We Like It:
Evan Williams Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey is a good-entry bourbon.
The flagship bourbon of Evan Williams is produced in Heaven Hill Distillery, and it is aged longer than required by law.
We like the medium amber color of the bourbon and its deep vanilla and caramel aromas.
It has impressive brown sugar, oak, and caramel notes on the palate and a remarkable long and lingering finish.
4. Evan Williams Green Label
Average Price: Roughly $10.99 (Total Wine)
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It:
Evan Williams Green Label is one of the cheapest quality bourbons on the market today.
We are incredibly surprised by its bold flavor profile and tasting notes for its price.
While bottled in lower proof than other Evan Williams core expressions, it delivers a rich and smooth taste and aroma.
On the palate, it has strong caramel and vanilla. Moreso, we like the sweet oak finish.
3. Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch
Average Price: Roughly $19.99 (Total Wine)
Alcohol Content: 45%
Why We Like It:
Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch is named after Evan Williams’ founding year of Kentucky’s First Distillery.
It is a unique bourbon because it is pulled out from less than two hundred barrels and is well-aged for bold character and special tasting notes.
Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch has a nice aroma of sauteed butter, sweet corn, and oaky vanilla.
It has the right balance of sweetness and oakiness and delivers a full flavor that is more than you can expect for its price point.
2. Evan Williams Single Barrel
Average Price: Roughly $27.99 (Total Wine)
Alcohol Content: 43.3%
Why We Like It:
Evan Williams Single Barrel is one of the core expressions of the brand that has gathered different awards for being a premium bourbon.
This delicate amber gold whiskey has rich notes of dark caramel, charred wood, and sweet oak.
At 86.6 proof, the single barrel bourbon boasts its balanced flavor profile. It has amazing notes of orange, apple, honey, and oak with a long graceful finish.
Read: Evan Williams Bourbon vs Jack Daniel’s
1. Evan Williams Bottled in Bond
Average Price: Roughly $18.99 (Total Wine)
Alcohol Content: 50%
Why We Like It:
The Bottled-in-Bond of 1897 is one of the highest standards regarding the quality of distilled spirits, and it is meant to protect consumers from buying poor-quality whiskeys [1].
Evan Williams Bottled-In-Bond is a premium whiskey that meets the exact requirement of a BiB bourbon.
It boasts 50% ABV, is made by a single distillery in one distilling season, and is aged in a government-bonded warehouse.
It is a smooth bourbon with a nice kick, and what we are most impressed by is the hints of citrus, caramel, and black pepper of the whiskey.
Evan Williams Flavored Bourbons
Evan Williams Spiced Cider
Average Price: Roughly $12.99 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 17%
Why We Like It:
Evan Williams Spiced Cider is an all-time favorite flavor-infused bourbon whiskey that is best to enjoy on cold nights.
It is sweet and full of flavor, and when we tried to warm it up, notes of baked apples, nutmeg, graham crackers, and citrus were evident in every sip.
Evan Williams Peach
Average Price: Roughly $14.99 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 32.5%
Why We Like It:
Evan Williams Peach has the right blend of Georgia peaches and Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey.
The sweet peach is refreshing on the nose and has a nice bourbon kick. We enjoyed drinking it on the rocks, especially because it was sweet and smooth.
Evan Williams Cherry
Average Price: Roughly $15.22 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 32.5%
Why We Like It:
Evan Williams Cherry is a combination of Kentucky Straight bourbon and maraschino cherry.
The result is a sweet and delicious spirit that will surely level up the flavor game.
We tried it neat and with ice, and we were overwhelmed with the rich notes of cherry tarts, ground almonds, and vanilla.
It has vanilla and caramel notes from the bourbon, but it has a fruity finish and soft spices from the maraschino cherries.
Check out some more cherry bourbons here.
Evan Williams Egg Nog
Average Price: Roughly $9.99 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 15%
Why We Like It:
The holiday is fast approaching; nothing special is like a glass of ready-to-pour Christmas bourbon.
Evan Williams offers an original Southern Egg Nog from smooth Kentucky straight bourbon and real dairy cream.
We like the creme brulee and nutmeg aroma of the flavored whiskey. It has a creamy and thick mouthfeel with sweetness and smokiness from bourbon.
Evan Williams Fire
Average Price: Roughly $14.99 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 32.5%
Why We Like It:
Evan Williams Fire is a cinnamon-infused bourbon for a hot cinnamon taste that will give fire to your belly.
It has a melon, spicy cinnamon aroma and a delicate and warming finish. The cinnamon flavor is not overwhelming and has the right flavor balance.
Evan Williams Apple
Average Price: Roughly $14.99 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 32.5%
Why We Like It:
Evan Williams Apple is the most-voted flavor-infused bourbon in our blind tasting. It has a nice blend of crisp green apple and smooth Kentucky bourbon.
It is refreshing, smooth, and ready for any occasion.
It has a juicy sweet apple taste with hints of light spice and caramel. The bourbon finish is on point.
FAQs Related to Best Evan Williams Bourbon
Why is Evan Williams Bourbon considered one of the best?
Evan Williams Bourbon is praised for its exceptional quality, consistent flavor profile, and long-standing history of producing fine bourbon since 1783.
Is Evan Williams a good sipping bourbon?
Yes, Evan Williams is a good sipping bourbon. It has a balanced flavor profile, and it is sweet and smooth.
How does Evan Williams compare to Jim Beam?
Evan Wiliams is cheaper, higher in corn, and has a lower rye mash bill ratio than Jim Beam. Both are great bourbons, but Evan Williams is sweeter and has a nice flavor profile. More details on the Evan Williams and Jim Beam bourbon comparison here.
Is Evan Williams bourbon sweet?
Yes, Evan Williams is sweet. It contains 78% corn on its mash bill (higher than the required percentage [2]), which gives the bourbon a sweet and smooth taste.
What flavors can I expect from Evan Williams Bourbon?
Evan Williams Bourbon offers a balanced flavor profile with notes of caramel, vanilla, oak, and hints of spice, creating a satisfying and enjoyable drinking experience.
Is Evan Williams Bourbon suitable for sipping neat or in cocktails?
Yes, Evan Williams Bourbon is versatile and can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or as a key ingredient in classic bourbon cocktails like the Old Fashioned or Bourbon Sour.
What sets Evan Williams Bourbon apart from other bourbons?
Evan Williams Bourbon stands out for its smooth and approachable taste, affordability, and wide availability, making it a go-to choice for bourbon lovers of all levels.
Where is Evan Williams Bourbon produced?
Evan Williams Bourbon is produced in Kentucky, USA, at the Heaven Hill Distillery, one of the largest family-owned distilleries in America, known for its commitment to quality and tradition.
Does Evan Williams Bourbon offer different variations?
Yes, Evan Williams Bourbon offers various expressions, including Evan Williams Black Label, Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond, Evan Williams Single Barrel, and flavored variants like Evan Williams Peach.
Can I visit the Evan Williams Bourbon Distillery?
Yes, the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, offers tours and tastings, providing visitors with an immersive look into the history and production of Evan Williams Bourbon.
Final Say
Based on our blind tasting, Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond got the upper hand.
It is a smooth, rich, bold, and flavorful bourbon, and its price tag is on point, plus it’s easy to find.
It is a solid and versatile whiskey; you can drink it neat, on the rocks, or as a cocktail.
References:
- https://www.gearpatrol.com/food/drinks/a36466533/what-is-bottled-in-bond/
- https://www.cnbc.com/2015/06/04/5-rules-that-make-it-bourbon.html
