What is your favorite year for Evan Williams Single barrel?

[trumpstylz]

The title says it all: Do you have a specific favorite as far as the EWSB's go?

[Josh]

Of the ones I've had...

1) 1997

2) 1994

3) 1998

4) 1999/2000

5) 1989

6) 1995

7) 1996

The 1996 was the only one I didn't care for, but it could have just been the barrel.

[cowdery]

My fondness for the 1994 is well known.

[BourbonJoe]

The 94 was excellent. I agree with Chuck.

Joe :usflag:

[jmpyle]

My ranking of top 3 would be:

1994

2000

1995

I think there was a real down turn after 1995. In fact I think the 98 and 99's were downright mediocre Bourbon. The 2000 really jumped off the page for me. Extremely complex, immensely honeyed, lively, and layered with mint and sweet spice. The oak was in check too. To me it's just one of the best bourbons released last year. Factor in price and WOW. So last release was a major comeback year. I haven't had the 2001, but really looking forward to it.

[Josh]

My ranking of top 3 would be:

1994

2000

1995

I think there was a real down turn after 1995. In fact I think the 98 and 99's were downright mediocre Bourbon. The 2000 really jumped off the page for me. Extremely complex, immensely honeyed, lively, and layered with mint and sweet spice. The oak was in check too. To me it's just one of the best bourbons released last year. Factor in price and WOW. So last release was a major comeback year. I haven't had the 2001, but really looking forward to it.

Have you had the 1997? If you'd like a sample, I believe I have one open.

[jfw]

1999

2000

1995, 1997, 1998, 1996 (don't really remember the order, might have to crack some open for a taste test!)

To quote John Hansell "This might the most drinkable Evan Williams Single Barrel vintage ever produced." AMEN!

I don't know how I could say it better. Whenever I open a EWSB 99, it seems to suffer from the "Where the heck did the other half of the bottle go syndrome?" two days later. It is deadly easy to drink IMHO.

I have liked all of the releases I have tried, some more than others, but the 99 is at the top of my list. I'm a sucker for the caramel, slightly sweet, vanilla, maple syrup bourbons (dusty Old Forester, OFBB '05, etc.). I like some of the other profiles, but I always seem to come home to the caramel/maple/vanilla ones.

[barturtle]

The title says it all: Do you have a specific favorite as far as the EWSB's go?

Which ever one you're pouring will be fine, thanks.

[bonneamie]

Which ever one you're pouring will be fine, thanks.

me too!!.........

[jburlowski]

The 94 was excellent. I agree with Chuck.

Joe :usflag:

Plus one on that....

[jmpyle]

Have you had the 1997? If you'd like a sample, I believe I have one open.

Ha! I'd love a sample! I've had it, but it's been some time. These questions get tough when you pull from memory. I am a big big fan of this bourbon. I love that there are definitely differences each year and it's a fun thing to keep up with.

Sounds like I have to source me some 97!

[MissinER101]

Don't think it is a single barrel, but the '83 200th Birthday Parlor Decanter is flat out fantastic!!!

[squire]

I've only had a couple so lack a basis of comparison but if the others are as good as those two I could vote for any of them.

[cowdery]

The great thing about this series is that while the basic profile stays the same there is enough variation from year to year so that you look forward to each new release. EWSBV is an annual harvest of the best 9-year-old bourbon in Heaven Hill's warehouses. Because of that it is much more true to the traditional meaning of 'vintage' than most other annual releases.

[jmpyle]

The great thing about this series is that while the basic profile stays the same there is enough variation from year to year so that you look forward to each new release. EWSBV is an annual harvest of the best 9-year-old bourbon in Heaven Hill's warehouses. Because of that it is much more true to the traditional meaning of 'vintage' than most other annual releases.

This is very true. For me it's a staple whiskey in my cabinet. I love that it's clearly and detectably different year in year out. In talking with Craig Beam at the Beer Bourbon and BBQ fest, I told him I thought the 2000 was the best in a number of years. I asked him if he could attribute that to anything. His response, "We just do the same thing." It truly is a vintage.

[B.B. Babington]

I often find large variation from barrel to barrel. Seems like pegging a better year would be hard unless ya sample at least a dozen each year.

[cowdery]

I don't know why you would have to "sample at least a dozen each year," but I'm not opposed to doing so.

[bourbonNOOG]

2000, only because it's the only one I've had. Been trying to get a store around here to sell me a 1988 they have sitting on top of the cooler with all of their other collectible decanters and such. They won't let it go.

[SMOWK]

2000, only because it's the only one I've had. Been trying to get a store around here to sell me a 1988 they have sitting on top of the cooler with all of their other collectible decanters and such. They won't let it go.

Make sure you tell them that:

A - it's not a 23 year old whiskey

B - it was bottled in 1998

C - technically, it's not a collectible, yet

[Halifax]

2000, only because it's the only one I've had. Been trying to get a store around here to sell me a 1988 they have sitting on top of the cooler with all of their other collectible decanters and such. They won't let it go.

I am in need of an '88 for my collection. On to the topic at hand... Of the EWSB's I've had, I am fond of the '99 release followed by the '97.

[bourbonNOOG]

I am in need of an '88 for my collection. On to the topic at hand... Of the EWSB's I've had, I am fond of the '99 release followed by the '97.

These people definitely have it. It has an orange wax instead of black and said Put in oak 1988 on the bottle. Nothing on top of the freezers was for sale. I was interested in the EWSB and a decanter.

When I asked about them individually or any of them at all, the answer I received was NO.

[smokinjoe]

These people definitely have it. It has an orange wax instead of black and said Put in oak 1988 on the bottle. Nothing on top of the freezers was for sale. I was interested in the EWSB and a decanter.

When I asked about them individually or any of them at all, the answer I received was NO.

That's probably why he won't let it go. Must be a Vol fan. The orange wax top, I believe, was on a special commemerative bottling to recognize the UT Football National Championship.

[bourbonNOOG]

That's probably why he won't let it go. Must be a Vol fan. The orange wax top, I believe, was on a special commemerative bottling to recognize the UT Football National Championship.

Smokinjoe, you hit the nail on the head. Although, if I owned the store and cherished that bottle as much as we're assuming he does, I would either leave it at home or sell it to someone who would enjoy the contents as much as he enjoys the look of the wax on the bottle.

[ggilbertva]

These people definitely have it. It has an orange wax instead of black and said Put in oak 1988 on the bottle. Nothing on top of the freezers was for sale. I was interested in the EWSB and a decanter.

When I asked about them individually or any of them at all, the answer I received was NO.

Come to think of it, my '88 has the orange wax.

[BourbonRob]

1995 is my favorite...but I've never had a '94...maybe I'll find a dusty soon

Rob