Note: This review is for Evan Williams 1783 – 86 proof whiskey. At some point in the past year, Evan Williams released a new 1783 Small Batch which is a blend of 300 barrels or less and bottled at 90 proof. I grabbed 1783 for our Cherry Bounce and didn’t notice that the 1.75ml bottles I purchased were the pre-2021 bottle.
Evan Williams is one of my favorite bourbon brands. Alie and I love the taste and affordability of the Evan Williams branded whiskeys. Whether it is the standard Heaven Hill Mash Bill or the aging location, we come back to Evan Williams time and time again. We are always open to trying its different expressions, including this bottle of Evan Williams 1783.
Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch
Evan Williams 1783 is a small batch whiskey, blended from less than 200 barrels and bottled at 86 proof. The 1783 labeling is a nod to the year Evan Williams first started distilling his whiskey along the banks of the Ohio River in Kentucky.
The pre-2021 version of Evan Williams 1783 appears, at least on the surface to have much in common with the core Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon offering. The only real difference I could discern is that Evan Williams 1783 is “extra aged.” A number of sources indicated the barrels selected for this small batch were aged 6-8 years.
The selection of Evan Williams 1783 as the base for our Smoked Cherry Bounce was based on the previous year’s batch. Alie and I opted for Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond the prior year. Although we really liked it, some of our friends noticed the Smoked Cherry Bounce had a bit of a kick. For this season’s batch, we opted to use a slightly lower-proof whiskey for a smoother finish.
About 1783
Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch is a Heaven Hill whiskey. As such, the 1783 mash bill is 78% corn, 12% malted barley, and 10% rye. It is a sour mash product, meaning a bit of the mash from the previous distillation is used in the new mash.
There is no age statement (NAS) on the bottle. However, a number of sources identify the age of Evan Williams 1783 to be a blend of 6-8 year whiskeys.
Tasting Notes
Perhaps it was the afternoon thunderstorm that rolled through our area as we were tasting Evan Williams 1783 that impacted some of our taste and scent perceptions. Either way, Evan Williams 1783 ended up being a complementary pour on a night when it felt like fall was creeping in a little.
Alie noticed an aroma she described as autumn spice. She picked up a hint of nutmeg on the nose that reminded her of a seasoned pumpkin pie, fresh from the oven. She noticed hints of caramel on the palate. Evan Williams 1783 wasn’t overly sweet to her. It was mellow, with light intensity, and a smooth finish.
Alie noticed that Evan Williams 1783 coated her mouth with flavor, but it was a one-note flavor. Basically, it was a lightly sweetened caramel taste compared to other Evan Williams expressions. While tasting other whiskeys, Alie often notices different flavors in different areas of her tongue and the roof of her mouth. 1783 hit the same flavor note in all areas of her mouth.
For me, Evan Williams 1783 had the familiar aroma of oak and brown sugar on the nose. With my first sip, the oak hit my tongue right away. It was followed by a hint of bitter leather on the palate. I also failed to pick up the vanilla and brown sugar sweetness I’ve become so accustomed to recognizing in Heaven Hill whiskeys. The flavor profile aligned more with the Elijah Craig expressions than what I’ve come to expect from Evan Williams’ labeled products.
The intensity of Evan Williams 1783 was light. It had a nice finish, with a touch of tingly warmth that lingered on the tongue for a bit after a sip. It was not an overpowering heat, but I respected the “long finish.” I tend to sip my whiskey more slowly when the finish lingers on my tongue. I get to enjoy the last bit of flavor before rushing to take another sip. It’s a value-added component we look for in our favorite whiskeys.
Our Ratings
Drinkability: 3.9
Personal Preference: 3.1
Intensity: 2.8
Beginner Friendly: 3.9
Availability: 3
Overall: 3.4
Final Thoughts
We didn’t realize this was the old bottle of Evan Williams 1783 when we picked it up at the liquor store. Despite being the old offering, I wasn’t disappointed when I tried it. If you happen to be shopping, you may be able to find this old expression, but it will likely be completely replaced by the new Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch in the near future. The 750ml Evan Williams 1783 bottle next to the 1.75ml bottle I bought was the newer expression.
Although the old expression wasn’t bad, we did find that 1783 lacked the Evan Williams sweetness we’ve come to expect. The hint of oak on the palate makes this small batch better suited for the Elijah Craig label. However, despite the deficiencies, Evan Williams 1783 is still good enough to mix in our Smoked Cherry Bounce. It also makes a great cocktail mixer. If you happen to see it in a liquor store near you, it is a worthwhile buy. You might even be able to convince the liquor store owner to knock a few bucks off since it’s the “old” bottling.
Happy Exploring!
