Originally published at Tiki Bar Online
Although there are many different drink choices to enjoy, bourbon seems to be a favorite for many around here at the blog. And with Bourbon County, Kentucky celebrating it’s 228 anniversary on October 17th, I thought “Why not review said drink?” And so I chose something from what is acknowledged as Kentucky’s first commercial distillery, Evan Williams. (To learn a little more about the history of bourbon, look no further than David’s own review of Elijah Craig 12 Year here.)
For this review, I procured the 2003 Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage from a recent tour of Heaven Hill Distillery. I even picked up a couple of Glencairn glasses while there to try something different than using the usual old fashioned or snifters I usually use. The whiskey inside the black waxed top bottle was oaked in 2003 and stored in the rickhouse for just under 10 years. These barrels are hand-picked from father and son master distillers Parker and Craig Beam. (Yes, I said Beam. Parker is grandnephew to Jim Beam.) My bottle is from barrel number 418, and was barreled on 5-15-03 and bottled on 5-8-13. Now, on to the notes!
- Color: Nice golden amber
- Nose: Molasses, oak, bit of vanilla and corn
- Palate: Immediate honey with nutmeg, cinnamon and apricot, followed by some pepper and orange
- Finish: Long warm spicy orange finish
I first tried it neat and the bourbon seemed a little constricted. I then added a few drops of water to help open it up. That was when the fruit really started to present itself. More than a splash might dilute it too much.
I enjoyed the bourbon and will definitely enjoy it again in the future. It’s something I would enjoy when getting together for the evening with friends, paired with a chocolaty dessert, or even by myself with a cigar. Find it in the mid $20 price range and you’re golden. I paid $32.99 at the distillery and that is a bit more than it should be, but then again I was in the gift shop.