Evan Williams single barrel: America 250th Commemorative Edition

Barrel 137

MSRP: $39.99

Mash: 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley

Proof: 117.76

Age: 8 years 2 months

Nose: caramelized candied orange, hazelnut, brown sugar, soft leather

Palate: the nose follows through to the palate beautifully, surprisingly that caramelized candied orange note dominates as the main note

Finish: a wonderfully long finish of candied orange and leather

Rating: Hoard it (Out of Hoard, Buy, Try, Pass)

Thoughts: look, this is not an overly complex bourbon, but it is excellent. The most important thing is the absolutely absurd value that you get here. This would make a great pour to sit down with neat, but is cheap enough to be used for an excellent old fashioned or other cocktail. I honestly am not sure you could find a better whiskey at $40. Grab two, because this value is a throwback to prices from a decade ago.

What's the Deal?: For a long time, Evan Williams single barrel has been a low proof release, with a higher proof annual Kentucky Derby release. So this is not just another Evan Williams special label, it is the first large scale higher proof single barrel release. Although not cask strength, it probably is not far off for a majority of the barrels chosen. Coming in at 117.76 as a callout to the founding of America, it is both approachable and full flavored. Honestly the most wild part of this release is the price. It is priced extremely competitive for a high proof single barrel, and then add in the limited edition nature, and this is an insane value. I've heard people have mixed feelings on this release, so I must have been very lucky with the single barrel I bought. But if others are even close, this is an absolute hit.

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