Evan Williams Black Label

My go to the past evenings with Coke!

A classic in my opinion, my go to when mixing with Coke! $15.99 with $5 rebate!

This review of Evan Williams Black Label is a simple head-to-head tasting against Jim Beam Original (White Label) - two bottom shelf, entry level, budget bourbons that can be found pretty much anywhere. There's a bar not far from where I work that does a rotating happy hour special for people having bad days - for $6, you get to pick your combination of poison: a beer + a shot.  The last time I was there, you got to choose between a can of Modelo + a shot of Jose Cuervo, or a can of PBR + a shot of EW Black Label.  Now, if I really wanted to recreate what the bar was going for, I would have pitted this EW Black Label up against some Jose Cuervo, but they rotate the bottles and cans of poison every now and so in theory, Jim Beam could be up against EW Black some day.  So it got me thinking - which would win out between the two?   (And let's be honest - I've tasted some terrible whiskies in my time, and yet I don't think any of them have come close to the appallingly repulsive dumpster fire that is Jose Cuervo "Especial".  I'm staying away so I don't feel horrifically "especial" afterwards.)  Enough tangential backstory, let's see what this budget bourbon has to offer.  Mash Bill: 78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 10% Rye Age: NAS (at least 4 years and thought to be between 4-7 years) ABV: 43% Price: $9.99 (typically $10-$17) Nose: Still fairly weak like the Jim Beam Original, but this is a bit brighter and more lively. Fresh, dark caramel and corn with vanilla. Rye spice, anise, and barrel char.  Artificial cherry candies.  Palate: Fairly thin, with dark caramel and sweet corn mirrored from the nose.  More vanilla, anise, and rye spice, with woody astringency.  A bit more richness and oiliness by comparison to the Jim Beam Original.  Finish: Short and thin.  Watery sweetness and oak dominates.  Verdict: Well, this is about as brawny as a prepubescent.  And while it's not a total game changer, the extra 3% ABV really makes a difference and helps this stand out from the Jim Beam.  I picked the PBR + EW Black combo that night and split it with a buddy - now I know I'd do the same again if Jim Beam showed up on the list of choices next time.  I'm giving this 0.25 and a point over the Jim Beam Original.  2.75 ~ 73 ~ Below Average

Classic to mix with Coke, $20.99-$5 coupon= $15.99 for 1.75L

Good value choice for an Old Fashioned