Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch American Hero Edition (2023)

Really enjoyed this one

Rickhouse site: Bernheim Warehouses: 1E and 1J 2023 Class of American-Made Heroes who selected this batch: Chaz Koch - USN Susan Wagner - USN (ret.) Mandy Hazelton - USAF (ret.) Brian Barber - USMC David McCracken - USA (ret.) Laura Jeanne - USA Thank you for your service, and cheers. A bit of a spin on the usual American Hero tradition from Evan Williams; I did a quick double take when I first saw it before I realized it wasn't in fact the Black Label. The "2023 annual release" on the label makes me think I've missed previous years of the 1783, but this is the first time I remember seeing it, and I always keep an eye out for it since it's one of very few distillery products that honor military members. It's also nice to have found it in a standard 750ml bottle, since I'm fairly certain the American Hero Black Label only comes in 1.75L bottles, although the larger size feels like a great honor to the military in my experience. I haven't had 1783 in quite some time, so I'm looking forward to the re-review, and hoping these vets chose some quality barrels. A very light color, closer to straw on the outer edges, with a hint of chestnut in the middle; still somewhat darker than Black Label, though. It's worth mentioning at this point that I turned my recently direction-switched ceiling fan on (which now blows down), which has been filling the room with beautiful rickhouse-like scent; I'll never not do this again. Speaking of scent, I get some very low ethanol up front, but the fumes get stronger with repeated smelling. A bit of cinnamon candy and grass combine with raw oak and a neutral vegetativity. There's a floral note as I pull off the glass, but I can't place it, as the ethanol burns it off each time I try. The flavor starts off so light and mild that I would instantly guess this is a Speyside scotch. However, classic cinnamon and grass notes from fresh rye very quickly spice up the tongue and dig into the gums. The body is still light, with a raw oak flavor rising up behind the rye, but the sweetness of it is missing, instead being replaced by a bitter charcoal note. The finish is more spice from the rye, being tasted more in the gums than on the tongue, and is easily approachable without a burn from the slightly higher proof. A few minutes later brings up a slight taste of roasted peanuts, which I usually note from heavier charcoal filtering. Although I won't try now, I believe this is one of few whiskeys that likely taste better with some ice. I do remember 1783 being very underwhelming, and only slightly better than Black Label or White Label, but not quite as deep as the single barrel. However, considering there is only a small window to purchase this and the Black Label American Hero version each year, and the price is hardly different, it's still an excellent, patriotic way to honor two of greatest groups of people in this country: our military and bourbon distillers. Cheers to my fellow brothers and sisters. Hoping for some other distilleries to pick up on this tradition.