Today we review the Evan Williams Bottled in Bond. In 1783, Evan Williams opened Kentucky’s First Distillery on the banks of the Ohio River. Many years and barrels later, they still produce Bourbon the right way, using the same time-honored methods. Today we review what many people call the best value bourbon on the market. The Bottled in Bond is a bourbon that many call the ideal everyday value bourbon. However, not many people outside of those passionate about bourbon knows what this is.
What is Bottled in Bond?
Bottled in bond is a label for American-made distilled beverages that have been aged and bottled in accordance with regulation laid out in the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. In order to be labeled as bottled-in-bond the product must be made of one distillation season (January–June or July–December) by one distiller at one distillery. It must have been aged in a federally bonded warehouse under U.S. government supervision for at least four years and bottled at 100 (U.S.) proof (50% alcohol by volume). The bottled product’s label must identify the distillery where it was distilled and, if different, where it was bottled.
Why was Bottled in Bond Act Created?
At the time of its passage many bottlers used iodine or tobacco to create color and flavor. Consumers wanted reassurances as to what they were consuming, so a standard of quality was created. It was also attached to taxes which allowed distillers to put off paying the excise tax until the bourbon had been fully aged.
Bourbon Review: Evan Williams Bottled in Bond
ABV: 50% (100 Proof)
Type: Bourbon
Age: 4 Years
Color: Gold
Mash Bill: 78% Corn, 12% Barley, 10% Rye
Distillery: Old Evan Williams Distillery
Location: Louisville, KY (USA)
The Nose: Once we pour the Evan Williams Bottled in Bond, the aroma from the glass offers up an abundance of sugary sweetness. Additionally the nose provides hints of vanilla, plums and a lingering caramel.
Tasting Notes: Cinnamon, cherries and vanilla encapsulate the palate on the very first sip with a long peppery finish. Subsequent sips see continued cherries and oak, with continued pepper and citrus notes on the elongated finish.
The Pairing: We went value with the Charter Oak Maduro from Foundation Cigar Company. On its own the cigar offers a subtle sweetness and spice. When paired together the cigar cancels out some of the sweetness of the BiB while enhancing the oak notes. As always we never let our pairing affect our scoring, but if we did this pairing with add a +3 to the final score.
Conclusion: The Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond might be a little too sweet. For me I want my bourbon to take like a bourbon, not like a rum. However, coming in at under $20 it’s a decent bourbon to keep on hand for when you don’t want to share the special bottles with guests.
Score: 89
Price: $19.99 (750ml in NH)
