Evan Williams vs Rebel Yell: Bourbon Comparison

Last Updated on: 9th April 2024, 07:37 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.

Discover the differences between Evan Williams vs Rebel Yell in this in-depth comparison and decide which bourbon is better for You!

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.

Evan Williams Black vs. Rebel Yell: Budget Bourbon Showdown

Both: Affordable bourbons under $20, good for everyday use.

Evan Williams Black: Smooth & sweet, classic profile, good for mixing, long history. Better for casual sippers who like it sweet.

Rebel Yell: Wheated bourbon, intriguing aroma, spicy finish, thin body. Better for cocktails with its unique kick, interesting for wheated bourbon exploration.

Key Differences:

Mash Bill: Classic vs. Wheated
Flavor: Sweet vs. Spicy
Body: Full vs. Thin

Choose Evan Williams Black for sweetness & value, Rebel Yell for spice & wheat exploration.

Bonus: Explore Elijah Craig (more complex) or Larceny (smoother wheated) from Heaven Hill within a similar price range.

Remember, taste is subjective! Experiment to find your perfect budget bourbon, suggests whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

Related: Alternatives to Evan Williams

Evan Williams Black: Everyday Sipping on a Budget

Nose: Caramel, vanilla, honey, ethanol
Palate: Honey, spice, old leather, oak char
Finish: Old leather, oak char, spice
Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
How to drink: Add water
Similar to: Wild Turkey

Craving a sweet, budget-friendly bourbon for regular enjoyment? Evan Williams Black might be your match!

Sweet aromas: Honey, caramel, and vanilla greet your nose with a hint of warmth.

Decent body: Offers a pleasant mouthfeel with some texture.

Sweetness with a touch of bite: Expect initial sweetness followed by subtle leather and oak notes, finishing with a lingering warmth and spice.

Water unlocks more: A drop smooths out the edges and amplifies the caramel sweetness.

Not award-winning, but reliable: While it won’t wow your tastebuds, Evan Williams Black serves as a solid, affordable pour for everyday sipping.

Cocktail champion: Its warmth makes it a great base for cost-effective mixed drinks.

Bonus:

Time-tested recipe: Enjoying over 200 years of history!
Balanced mash bill: Corn, malted barley, and rye create a harmonious character.

Ready for a no-frills, budget-friendly bourbon adventure? Give Evan Williams Black a try!

Rebel Yell: A Sweet Start With a Spicy Finish

Nose: Ripe fruit, apple, pear
Palate: Vanilla, cinnamon, caramel, oak spice
Finish: Warm, chocolate, almond, oak spice
Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
How to drink: Cocktails
Similar to: Ezra Brooks

Rebel Yell’s inviting aroma boasts fresh apple and pear notes, drawing you in for a sip. On the palate, however, it presents a lighter body than anticipated.

Muted flavors of vanilla, cinnamon, and caramel appear, shadowed by a lingering oak spice. The finish brings some redemption with pleasant chocolate and almond hints, but is ultimately dominated by a strong peppery heat.

Adding ice helps: It coaxes out more caramel and vanilla, making the experience smoother.

The verdict? While the aroma is promising, Rebel Yell’s thin body and overpowering spice notes fall short for a neat pour. Consider it for mixing in cocktails where its sweetness and peppery kick might shine.

Fun facts:

Historic recipe: Dates back to the mid-19th century!
Unique mash bill: Combines corn, wheat, and malted barley.
Ice is your friend: Can enhance the enjoyable flavors.

Looking for a bold, spicy bourbon for cocktails? Give Rebel Yell a shot. For smooth sipping, however, there are better options available.

What do Evan Williams and Rebel Yell have in common?

Both are crafted at the Heaven Hill Distillery located in Bardstown, Kentucky along with other brands such as Elijah Craig, Larceny, Rittenhouse Rye, Pikesville among many others.