Evan Williams 1783 Bourbon (80 Proof)

A simple, sweet bourbon that punches above its price range. It’s not complex, but it’s easy to sip neat or in a cocktail. Nose: sweet corn, with hints of buttered bread —let’s just call it cornbread. Palate: not creamy but not dry either, hints of citrus and tea Finish: short, very little heat but a little clove kick

Sweet, thin mouth, best on the rocks.

Candy corn, cashew butter, butterscotch, orange zest, caramel syrup, and faint baking spices adorn the nose of this rather smooth dram. For a cheap seat, it's something of a hidden gem: palate full of traditional bourbon flavors, including brown sugar, vanilla, black cherries, peanut brittle, and a drying rye spice that slips into a finish of milk cocoa and lots of tobacco leaf. Thin mouthfeel, with a medium-short finish. However, for not a lot of dough it's a good daily sipper for someone wanting a step down from the more assertive rye punch of some of its Heaven Hill brothers.

Nice enough pour, but nothing exceptional.

Nose is simple with a baking spice overtone and honeysuckle undertone. Spicy and burn on the front that drops quickly to a sweet and fast finish of cherry or peach. No punch at this low proof, but very drinkable and a fine starter bourbon.

A sweeter, and less complex bourbon than the Evan Williams bonded, this is an approachable bourbon that beginners can pick out. Less nutty than some of Heaven Hill’s other offerings. For the money it’s hard to argue with.