Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond: Review

Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond

Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond has been my go-to daily drinker for the better part of the past two years. This 100 proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon is widely available in many liquor stores, so you don’t have to go treasure hunting to get your hands on a bottle.

B-in-B is a staple in our house and our camper because of its hypothetical healing powers. Not only is it a great way to wash away a stressful workday, but the high proof combined with the high altitude of our favorite campsites also helps us ease our sore muscles and minds after a day of exploring.

What is Bottled-in-Bond?

Bottled-in-Bond comes from the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, which stipulates that the spirit must be distilled in the same season by one distiller at the same distillery. B-in-B must be aged for a minimum of four years under strict supervision from the U.S. Government and can only be diluted with pure water. It has to be 100 proof, otherwise, this spirit would never legally make it into a glass. Once bottled, it was sealed with a tax label to indicate it had met rigorous distilling and aging standards.

At the time, the Bottled-in-Bond Act was enacted to protect consumers. In the era of “snake oil” and “miracle cure” concoctions, whiskey was often of poor quality and sometimes dangerous to drink. It was not uncommon for distillers to cheat the process by bottling un-aged grain alcohol and stirring in an additive, like tobacco or turpentine, for color. A Bottled-in-Bond seal provided consumers the peace of mind that their whiskey was not only high quality but safe to drink.

Tasting Notes

Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond has a sweet and woody flavor with hints of vanilla and sugar. It starts bright and finishes relatively smooth, for a 100 proof whiskey, that is. I prefer to drink without diluting, but a drop of water may ease a novice’s evolving palate. To me, added water washes out the flavor more than enhances it, but if the burn overtakes the flavor, a small splash of water will do the trick. Adding water, an ice cube or even a dash of bitters is an area up for experimentation and personal preference. As with all whiskeys, find what works for you glass by glass.

This whiskey has a nice intensity to it. As the taste fades, the lingering sweet bourbon burn reminds your tongue and lips of your sip long after the taste has faded. Intensity is one of the many reasons I enjoy bourbon compared to other types of whiskey; the heat sits with me for a while allowing me to enjoy each sip a little while longer. Evan Williams hits the right balance of flavor and intensity.

Final Thoughts

Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond is an affordable and widely available bottle. Its flavor stands on its own and acts as a solid base in whiskey-heavy cocktails such as an old-fashioned. It is a whiskey that seasoned drinkers will enjoy neat. For those who are starting their whiskey journey, this will make a good cocktail base. I would recommend returning to it served neat later on your whiskey journey. If you are looking for something with lingering heat and a subtle sweetness, this is a great bottle to try.

Look for it next time you are shopping and let us know what you think!

Happy exploring!