Last Updated on: 8th April 2024, 01:32 pm
J Highland
J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.
In my direct comparison, uncover distinctions between Evan Williams and Evan Williams Bottled in Bond, and select your preferred Bourbon!
Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.
Written by: J Highland
Evan Williams vs Bottled in Bond: Comparison
- Evan Williams Bourbon is an accessible and budget-friendly bourbon that offers sweet notes of caramel, vanilla, and honey, complemented by hints of spice, old leather, and oak char. With an alcohol content of 90 proof (45% ABV), it’s suitable for casual drinking, especially when softened with water or ice. This bourbon is a solid choice for those seeking an affordable whiskey for both neat sipping and mixing in cocktails.
- Evan Williams Bottled in Bond, on the other hand, steps up in quality with a higher proof of 100 (50% ABV) and a richer, fuller flavor profile. It presents a nose of vanilla, oak, and grassy notes, with a palate that brings oak, maple syrup, vanilla, and a grassy finish. The Bottled in Bond designation ensures a minimum of four years of aging and adherence to strict regulations, offering a robust, full-flavored bourbon ideal for cocktail crafting due to its depth of flavor and higher alcohol content.
Verdict:
- For Everyday Sipping and Mixing: The regular Evan Williams Bourbon is a reliable and enjoyable option, particularly for those on a budget looking for a versatile bourbon.
- For Cocktail Enthusiasts and Robust Flavor Seekers: Evan Williams Bottled in Bond stands out as the superior choice, offering greater complexity, a fuller body due to its higher proof, and a robust flavor profile that shines in cocktails.
Both Evan Williams expressions offer great value in their respective categories.
The choice between the two will largely depend on personal preference for strength and complexity, as well as intended use, whether for neat sipping, on the rocks, or in cocktails, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Related: Evan Williams Best Bourbons
Evan Williams Bourbon:
- Nose: Caramel, vanilla, honey, subtle ethanol.
- Palate: Honey, spice, old leather, oak char.
- Finish: Old leather, oak char, spice.
- Alcohol Content: 90 proof (45% ABV).
- How to Drink: Best softened with water or ice.
- Price: $18 for 1L (Approximately, may vary).
Evan Williams Bottled in Bond:
- Nose: Vanilla, oak, grassy notes, ethanol.
- Palate: Oak, maple syrup, vanilla, grassy.
- Finish: Lingering heat, corn, oak spice.
- Alcohol Content: 100 proof (50% ABV).
- How to Drink: Ideal for cocktails.
- Price: $24 for 1L (Approximately, may vary).