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    Evan Williams

    Evan Williams Master Distiller’s Select Bourbon Review

    BillBy BillJanuary 30, 2016Updated:February 17, 2016No Comments3 Mins Read
    89 Very Nice

    This is traditional bourbon flavors executed fairly well through good aging management and excellent batching. As a souvenir, it's top notch. As a bourbon, it's a quality product.

    Evan Williams Master Distiller’s Select Bourbon

    Vital Stats
    ◾Distiller: Heaven Hill, Louisville, KY DSP-KY-1
    ◾ABV: 45% (Proof: 90º)
    ◾Mash Bill: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Barley Malt
    ◾Barrel Entry Proof: 125
    ◾Barrel Char Level: #3
    ◾Age: 7-10 years
    ◾Price Paid: $20/375ML
    ◾Availability: Available only at the Evan Williams Experience Gift Shop and the Heaven Hill Bourbon Heritage Center Gift Shop

    What it is:

    This is a special blending of Evan Williams barrels ranging from 7-10 years and bottled at 90 proof.  It is available only at the two Heaven Hill gift shops, making it somewhat difficult to find.  It differs from the standard Evan Williams in age and batch size, obviously.  Exactly how close this is to the new non-age stated Elijah Craig, said to be 8-12 years old and 94 proof remains to be seen.  Nevertheless, it’s a very affordable option at a gift shop, which is a rare find.  At $20 for a half bottle, this equates to a $40 bourbon.  Hats off to Heaven Hill for offering something unique and attainable at their tourist attractions.

    Evan-Williams-Master-Distillers-Select-3

     

    Packaging:

    Reminiscent of the now-discontinued Evan Williams Barrel Proof, this is packaged in a stoneware jug with traditional Evan Williams logo and a natural cork.  It’s topped with a faux tax stamp.  All in all, it’s an excellent souvenir bottling, and one that will find a prominent space on a bourbon shelf or home bar as a display piece.

    Appearance:

    Somewhat lighter in appearance than a typical 7-10 year old bourbon might be, this is a pale golden color when poured into a Glencairn.

    Aroma:glencairn-amazon

    Heavy vanilla and caramel greet the nose.  This bourbon packs the traditional Evan Williams profile into a concentrated little offering.  There is plenty of mature oak and barrel along with hints of peppery rye on the back end.

    Taste:

    Sweet and approachable, the vanilla and caramel carry through to the palate with a strong, well-balanced oak undercurrent.  There are some ripe fruits on the periphery to enjoy as well.

    Finish:

    This lingers fairly long for an extended finish.  The oak dominates the experience with peppery spices trailing.

    Synopsis:

    This certainly isn’t a ground-breaking bourbon.  Then again, that’s not really what Heaven Hill, and in particular their Evan Williams brand, does.  This is traditional bourbon flavors executed fairly well through good aging management and better barrel selection and batching.  And it’s very affordable.  As a souvenir, it’s top notch.  As a bourbon, it’s a quality product.

    ModernThirst.com Score: 89 out of 100 points.

    What does that score mean?

    Evan-Williams-Master-Distillers-Select-2

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    Bill
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    Bill is the Co-Founder, Editor-in Chief, and official Bourbon-o-Phile for ModernThirst.com, and Founder and Chief Blending Officer for Four Gate Whiskey Company. He is a native of Louisville, KY in the heart of Bourbon Country. He attended the University of Kentucky in the mid to late 1990s. He has also been published on Liquor.com. He has conducted various bourbon and whiskey tastings in cities across the country, and consulted for multiple national labels. He is married with two daughters, and lives in east Louisville. You can follow him on Facebook and Twitter @BillStraub and email him at Bill@ModernThirst.com.

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