Evan Williams Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon Review

Evan Williams Black Label is a benchmark bourbon, not be confused with Benchmark Old No. 8 which I’ve previously reviewed. It’s one of those bourbons by which others are judged. I get that, but if you’ve read any of my reviews, you’ll know 86 proof is not my preferred ABV.

With that in mind, let’s get into Evan Williams Bottled-In-Bond (or as I have to ask for it at my local liquor store “Evan Williams White Label”. They’re nice people, but all the booze is behind the counter and sometimes they don’t know their products very well.)

While bonded whiskey has been written about in depth on Bourbon & Banter before, a reminder:

To be labeled as Bottled-in-Bond, a spirit must be the product of one distillation season and one distiller at one distillery, bottled at 100 proof and aged for at least four years under U.S. government supervision.

BOTTLE DETAILS

Name: Evan Williams Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon

Proof: 100 proof / 50% ABV (because it’s bonded, remember?)

Age: At least 4 years old (because it’s still bonded)

How I Drank It: Neat, in a Glencairn Whisky Glass.

Nose: Vanilla | Oak | Sweet Grain

Taste: Sweet Corn | Oak | Spice Nut

The Burn: It doesn’t hit right away, but when it does you get a wonderful long and lingering bonded burn full of spice and wood. It’s a liquid hug for your insides.

Neat, Splash or Rocks: While I prefer it neat or with a couple drops of water, I don’t think there is any wrong way to enjoy this one. If you prefer your bourbon with a splash or rocks, you’ll be well served here. I found that adding a few drops of water lent a juicier mouthfeel and tempered the burn.

Straight, Old Fashioned or Manhattan: Do whatever with it. No really, this juice is versatile. It makes an exemplary Old Fashioned and a serviceable Manhattan.

Share With: Friends who know the way to judge a bourbon is by the juice in the bottle and not position on the liquor store shelf. Or anyone really.

Worth The Price: It’s $16.95 where I live, so yes, absolutely worth it.

Bottle, Bar or Bust: Bottle! Normally when I do the under $20 bottle reviews, it’s a one-and-done kind of deal. I’m on my sixth bottle of Evan Williams Bottle-In-Bond. It’s my new go to budget whiskey and it’s readily available.

I’m tempted to end this sub $20 bourbon review series right here and go out on a high note, but this one reminded me there’s enough potential joy on that bottom shelf to keep digging. As ever, feel free to leave a comment suggesting other cheap whiskeys you’d like to see me review. If anyone wants to send me a bottle of Heaven Hill BiB, I’d love to do a comparison!