Evan Williams Single Barrel Kentucky Bourbon 1997

by Patrick Gary

Evan Williams distilleries makes a broad variety of whiskeys, and most people know them for their value labels. Their largest seller is the mass-market “Black Label” variety, which is best described as a decent well whiskey. Their 1783 is better, but still nothing that you would generally want to invite people over to taste.

However there is one label they make which has remained among the best bourbons made. The Single Barrel Vintage has remained among the best spirits available, especially considering its price range. The 1990 Vintage was the first Bourbon to be awarded "Whiskey of the Year" by The Spirit Journal. The 1991 Vintage was awarded "Domestic Whiskey of the Year" by The Malt Advocate and "Spirit of the Year" by Wine & Spirits. Most recently, the 1992 Vintage was named "Spirit of the Year" by Food & Wine and "Best Bottling of 2001" by Wine Enthusiast.

Now the 1997 has been released, and it maintains the history of excellence that the label has become known for.

Looking at the (seemingly) hand numbered bottle is even a treat. It is a nice touch to see the very day that your bottle was “born” or transferred into the bottle. Each barrel is numbered. Each vintage, like a fine wine, similar to its predecessors and simultaneously unique.

As you pour it into the glass the first thing that you notice is the bright brown color and the strong perfumed scent. Seriously, this is truly one of the most fragrant bourbons made. Made neat you can't help but notice the generous and complex smells. The interesting thing is that there are so many fragrances that it is actually difficult to place any one of them. There are scents of vanilla, oak, leather, smoke, honey, and maybe even some apple. Or even Calvin Klein's Obsession perfume. The taste is warm and velvety.

Add water or ice and the vanilla flavors and woodiness really comes out. I can even taste toffee at the front and cocoa and nutmeg or cloves at the end. It's as if this bourbon is every flavor all at once, making it impressive, if a bit difficult to describe.

This is the whiskey for the lovers of complexity. Few red wines or Scotches can claim more of a challenge to describe, or more pleasurable a payoff. This is not the bourbon to mix with coke, or much of anything. The 43% alcohol content is a bit strong at the front neat, so the rocks added to the pleasure of the tasting, but even neat this was surprisingly easy to drink.

Evan Williams Single Barrel 1997
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
86.6 Proof (43.3% ABV)
Barreled on: 1/16/97
Barrel #526
Bottled on: 5/31/07
Typical Price: Around $30 for 750ml

- Patrick Gary is a software engineer by day, a musician at night, and spends the rest of his time devoted to experiencing as much life as he can find.