Evan Williams Single Barrel 2015 Review
In-Depth Review
Evan Williams is one of the most recognizable brands in all of bourbon. And while its best known for its more affordable offerings, this hasn’t kept Heaven Hill from releasing some absolute stunners within the Evan Williams lineup. Of course, the crème de la crème remains their ultra-limited 23 year old expression – but even the much younger 12 year old remains of the best bottles out there at around 100 proof. Heaven Hill is clearly committed to reserving some of the best barrels from their warehouses for Evan Williams.
And while Evan Williams is best known to the vast majority for their black and white label expressions, lesser known is their Single Barrel Vintage line – one that for years was available nationwide only to become a Kentucky-only release as supply of well-aged bourbon has tightened in recent years. Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage is a “5 time winner of Bourbon of the Year” according to Heaven Hill, with special barrels selected for the expression by its Master Distillers.
This year, we get the 2015 vintage, meaning that all the barrels selected were put into oak sometime in 2015 and bottled in 2024. It comes in at a relatively low 86.6 proof, but for around $30 in California, this remains an incredible value for aged single barrel bourbon from a blue chip distillery. (I will also point out that I was recently at Heaven Hill and saw this on the shelf for $50 – so prices will vary heavily on this). This particular barrel is numbered 572 and was barreled on 1/8/2015 and bottled on 3/18/2024 and was purchased at Total Wine. Let’s dive in and see if we should sign a petition to bring this back to nationwide distribution every year!
Age: 9 Years (Barrel 572)
ABV: 43.3%
Cask: New oak
MSRP: Around $30 (in CA)
Distillery Name: Heaven Hill
Review Date: 6/18/24
Color: Chestnut
Nose: The nose starts off with wood varnish, dusty Cheerios, bright vanilla cream, sour cherries, and cream soda. After a few sniffs it can jump out almost like a cherry popsicle. The proof is more evident than I expected being below 45% ABV and gives it a lively character with fresh cut oak and tart acidity.
Palate: The palate is full of that classic oaky, caramel, nutty Heaven Hill profile with a dollop of red fruits and juicy citrus thrown in for good measure. It’s orange marmalade and walnuts, with an oaky layer that can make the palate run a bit dry after a few sips. Overall, it’s well balanced and approachable – a solid bourbon with a mouthfeel that’s better than expected and more than lives up to the Evan Williams Single Barrel brand.
Finish: Medium length finish with notes of French toast, oak, and cherry cordial. The oak lingers long after the sip and gives a nice dry warming spice as it disappears.
Final Thoughts: I’m glad this Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage isn’t just in Kentucky anymore. And while it may only be a one-time return to distribution, this 2015 vintage is a great bottle worth seeking out as your perfect warm up bottle to your next great whisky flight. It’s full of classic bourbon flavors, with lots of orange marmalade, oak, and that classic nutty Heaven Hill profile but with a low proof, remains and approachable whisky for all levels of drinker. It is missing some of the classic rye spice I was expecting and thus can drink soft and gentle more akin to a Makers Mark than other Heaven Hill expressions (like Elijah Craig). But at under $30 in California, this is a solid pour that delivers on the classic Evan Williams Single Barrel profile and reminds us that great deals can still be found from big name distilleries.
