A little background

The Evan Williams brand from Heaven Hill is perhaps one of the most recognizable brands in bourbon, with multiple variations of the bourbon readily available in liquor stores throughout the country at very favorable price points. The red label 12-year bourbon is not so recognizable, however, because this bottle is only available in limited quantities at the Evan Williams Experience gift shop or in overseas markets. This bourbon is made from the typical Evan Williams mash bill (75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley), is aged for 12 years, and is bottled at 101 proof. While this bottle is relatively cheap overseas, it retails north of $100 when you can find it at the gift shop.

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)

Color

Dark Amber

Nose

Initially, cinnamon, vanilla, and oak lead the way, but the nose quickly develops into a deep, rich bouquet of these with plenty of brown sugar, a few hints of milk chocolate, shaved coconut, and some baking spice.

Palate

The bourbon is soft on the palate and does not deliver the sweetness you would expect from the nose. Instead, I found minimal sweet notes on my first few sips and more of an emphasis on spice, toasted grain, and dry oak. Some creamy caramel notes did develop with time, but the layers of spice really dominate. I also along found a slight peppery spice developing on the back of the tongue, but this was kind of an afterthought. Importantly, this bourbon has almost zero alcohol burn, which was kind of surprising at 101 proof.

Finish

The finish was medium-long and very pleasant. Although this bourbon was a little soft and thin on the palate, I found that the mouthfeel on the finish was quite thick. Plenty of baking spice balances with some honey, more oak, rye spice, and finally some heat from the proof to make for a well-balanced finish.

In closing

This is by far the best Evan Williams I have tasted. The nose on this bourbon was exceptional and it kept getting better with time in the glass. Although it was a little thin on the palate, the layers of spice were really pleasant for the overall profile and the medium-long finish made up for what was lacking on the front end. The price on this bottle is definitely high, but this 12-year bourbon really delivers some nice flavors and provides a fun challenge. I think this is a welcomed addition to any bourbon cabinet.