Evan Williams Single Barrel 2002

[STLbourbon]

I've been quite a fan of the 2000 vintage of EWSB. 2001 is pretty good. I just saw 2002 on the shelf, but haven't tasted it. Anyone had the 2002 to compare to the previous two years?

B

[maxblack]

No, but I'm drinking the 2000 EWSB at the moment and love it, so much so I bought 13 bottles.....should keep me going. :grin:

I am also interested in how the 2002 compares (though I'm sure its good and i'm sure I'll try it)

[Rockefeller]

Here's an early review:

http://www.drinkhacker.com/2011/12/11/review-evan-williams-single-barrel-bourbon-2002-vintage/

I wasn't lucky enough to get the 2000, but currently on the last pours of a bottle of 2001. The 2001 is great as an everyday drink at it's price point, but I'm not in love with it. Not sure if going even woodier for the 2002 is the right direction.

[dridge11]

Thanks to my buddy yountvillewjs, two bottles of the 2000 have been located very nearby for $27/bottle. Sounds like they are worth grabbing???

[jcg9779]

On a different thread someone posted:

EWSB 2000 > 2001 > 2002

I haven't tried the 2002 yet, but would agree with the statement above, based on the review in that link.

Added by edit:

Actually, I think it was Rockefeller that said that...

[Rockefeller]

Thanks to my buddy yountvillewjs, two bottles of the 2000 have been located very nearby for $27/bottle. Sounds like they are worth grabbing???

If you're interested in the EWSB, it seems to be the best out of the most recent bunch.

As a side request: If anyone spots any EWSB 2000 on a liquor store shelf in NYC, please let me know. I can't find it anywhere.

[dridge11]

If you're interested in the EWSB, it seems to be the best out of the most recent bunch.

I've not tried the EWSB before...but seeing as these are close and seem to be reasonably priced, seems like a good bottle to get the introduction. My friend and I are going to split it, 1 bottle each.

[bad_scientist]

The Drinkhacker review says it pushes the wood (just like your mom w... oh, forget it), but other reviews I've read mention how sweet the first batch of the 2002 is, compared to recent years. Not a good development, IMO.

edit: or maybe not so much. These other reviews mention the sweetness, but also say the first barrel had some spice.

http://www.cigaraficionado.com/webfeatures/show/id/16241/p/2

http://lyke2drink.blogspot.com/2011/11/tuesday-tasting-evan-williams-single.html

[moose]

I'm still sitting on 2 bottles of the '01 at the store, have not gotten in any of the '02 yet, but I will be taking a bottle home with me when it does come in. I love all the variation in the EWSB's, makes every year a different bottle to taste on different occasions. Funny trying to remember what they each taste like though before you pour a glass.

[trumpstylz]

I'd steer clear of the 2001.

[Rockefeller]

I'd steer clear of the 2001.

I think it's OK. Just OK, not exactly ideal for sipping neat.

Please let me know if anyone sees the 2000 in NYC!

[bad_scientist]

Not a huge fan of the 2001, either. The 2000 disappeared faster than any other whiskey in my cabinet. But, lots of fans for the entire label, so maybe I'm an outlier. I just don't see paying $25 or more for it, when it's more of an ~$20 bottle, tastewise.

[Parkersback]

Not a huge fan of the 2001, either. The 2000 disappeared faster than any other whiskey in my cabinet. But, lots of fans for the entire label, so maybe I'm an outlier. I just don't see paying $25 or more for it, when it's more of an ~$20 bottle, tastewise.

Unless it gets really great reviews, I'm much more inclined to get EWSB's slightly older and more reliable older brother, EC12. It's the exact same price in my main store.

Makes me wish Very Rare Old Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond 10yr was still around!

[bad_scientist]

Makes me wish Very Rare Old Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond 10yr was still around!

My local bar has like one pour left of that very same whiskey - they should give you a 10% bonus for this, because I've been on the fence about it until now They're (a lot) overpriced for some stuff, but I can't pass this one up. I love that old HH profile so darn much...

[Brisko]

Unless it gets really great reviews, I'm much more inclined to get EWSB's slightly older and more reliable older brother, EC12. It's the exact same price in my main store.

Makes me wish Very Rare Old Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond 10yr was still around!

Henry McKenna single barrel runs around the same price or a little higher. 10 years and 100 proof. I wish EWSB was bottled at 100 proof, honestly.

[bgageus]

I bought a Mckenna Single Barrell a few weeks back and opened it with a few freinds. They all liked it so much they jotted down the barrel number and went to the place I got mine and each bought their own.

I dont know much about the product line and where if falls in relation to EW or other HH products, but we really enjoyed it more than any EW vintage that we had tried.

[mosugoji64]

Henry McKenna single barrel runs around the same price or a little higher. 10 years and 100 proof. I wish EWSB was bottled at 100 proof, honestly.

[The Boozer]

After my negative experience with the 1998 and 1999, only bought 1 bottle of the 2000. Huge improvement. Missed out on finding any other 2000's. Did not try 2001 although plenty of the shelves. Mixed reviews? Will try the 2002.

[Josh]

I always get at least one EWSB of the newest vintage, cause I'm a sucker like that.

My opinion regarding the last five vintages:

1997>1998=1999>2000>2001

That said, there are some retailer bottlings of the 2001 that are pretty good.

The McKenna is kind of hit or miss for me. It's an excellent value, but the last bottle I got was kind of dull. Elijah Craig is always a winner, but the fun of the EWSB is how it changes from year to year and from barrel to barrel.

I want to give my opinion on the quality of reviews on drinkhacker, but my mother told that if I can't say anything nice, I shouldn't say anything at all.

[Josh]

After my negative experience with the 1998 and 1999, only bought 1 bottle of the 2000. Huge improvement. Missed out on finding any other 2000's. Did not try 2001 although plenty of the shelves. Mixed reviews? Will try the 2002.

You didn't care for the 98 or 99? That's interesting. I have a 97 and a private bottle of the 00 in the old bunker. Come over and see me sometime!

[dohidied]

I haven't seen the 2002 yet. I've only had the 1998 and 2000, both of which I liked. I actually saw 3 bottles of 1989 today, but they wanted $40. He said $35 if I bought 2.

[Josh]

I haven't seen the 2002 yet. I've only had the 1998 and 2000, both of which I liked. I actually saw 3 bottles of 1989 today, but they wanted $40. He said $35 if I bought 2.

89 is pretty good, I would put it on par with the 2000, at least the bottle I had.

[cowdery]

I've had the 2002 and, with the 2001, I think we're getting an idea how EWSB is going to taste going forward. It's similar to the 2001 but maybe a step or two more fully developed. Bittersweet dark chocolate is the dominant flavor. It's so round, you can almost mistake it for a wheater.

[dridge11]

wallywine.com shows the 2000 pictured as available for sale. probably just a stock photo but might be worth checking out for the 2000 fans.

[trumpstylz]

I know where some binnys hand picked 2000 is located.

Also- a buddy saw hand picked 2000- at friar tucks down in champagne, il but that was probably 4 months ago or so.