For the past 35 years I drank whiskey from a friend who had a still in the NC Appalachian mountains and it was the finest I ever tasted. His was new whiskey, aged two weeks in a used charred oak barrel and was proofed at 100. The Evan Williams Bottled in Bond compares favorably but by no means replaces Ol' Phil's liquor. EWBIB is smooth with a nice aroma and definitely not too sweet. Really rather good for the price point.