Evan Williams Single Barrel 2006?

[Richnimrod]

How does 2004 compare to 2006?

In general terms (since that seems to be your question) I found MOST of the bottles of '04 (5) that I tasted, superior to all of the (2) bottles of '06 that I've tasted. The answer must, however, be extremely subjective, since they are, after all, Single Barrel offerings. I wouldn't be at all surprised to find a barrel from either vintage that is vastly different (better OR not as good) from those I've tasted. Unless you can determine which barrel your bottle is from, and which barrel(s) the comparisons are from, it's kind of an exercise in guesswork.

[BigBoldBully]

Per a HH mass email today:

"It seems that people just can't keep their hands off a good bottle of whiskey. We're only half way through the year, but we've already run through our entire Evan Williams Single Barrel 2005 vintage.

Rest assured, our 2006 vintage has been held to the same exacting standards as each bottle marked by our master distillers from the previous year. No need to hoard that lovely, lush bourbon flavor for yourself - entertaining and gift-giving are still excellent options."

Another sign that this bourbon boom is for real.

Whoa, and just when I thought I'd seen a glimmer going the other way (PHC staying on shelves for a bit). Hope you do not mind if I post the content of that email over in the "ongoing observations" thread.

This is especially surprising since they had always said, and Chuck had repeatedly noted, that they basically could not "run through" EWSB early since it is not a limited edition and they just keep selecting more barrels from their huge inventory. With luck I am paraphrasing correctly.

[squire]

What they could do to keep up supply and what they will do to keep up demand are opposing concepts.

[BigBoldBully]

Maybe I have a naive blindspot when it comes to the mainstream HH products, squire, since I'm unaware of them employing such a strategy before. Would be interesting if indeed they feel a need to stimulate demand in this way.

[squire]

Heaven Hill undoubtedly make good products but the success of their company has been due to good business practices.

[BourbonGuy]

In general terms (since that seems to be your question) I found MOST of the bottles of '04 (5) that I tasted, superior to all of the (2) bottles of '06 that I've tasted. The answer must, however, be extremely subjective, since they are, after all, Single Barrel offerings. I wouldn't be at all surprised to find a barrel from either vintage that is vastly different (better OR not as good) from those I've tasted. Unless you can determine which barrel your bottle is from, and which barrel(s) the comparisons are from, it's kind of an exercise in guesswork.

That is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!

[jeffrey r]

Whoa, and just when I thought I'd seen a glimmer going the other way (PHC staying on shelves for a bit). Hope you do not mind if I post the content of that email over in the "ongoing observations" thread.

This is especially surprising since they had always said, and Chuck had repeatedly noted, that they basically could not "run through" EWSB early since it is not a limited edition and they just keep selecting more barrels from their huge inventory. With luck I am paraphrasing correctly.

That e-mail from HH that I posted was from June, so it's pretty much old news by now. What many of us have seen since is as follows: the closer to 9 year old 2006 EWSB is simply not as good as the closer to 10 year old EWSB of recent years. HH is a terrific company, but despite their assertions that the 2006 matches the previous years, it does not seem to. For whatever reason, EWSB just really sings at 10 years old, and in fact, I have a 10 year 8 month bottle of 2003 EWSB that is simply outstanding. So their move to younger bourbon to keep up with demand does appear to be a compromise, and I am glad I have a nice stockpile of 10 year old or 10+ year old 2003s and 2004s, with a couple of 2005s thrown in for good measure.

[BigBoldBully]

apparently I need to get on their email list (and perhaps contemplate the title of this thread some more)

[Paddy]

That e-mail from HH that I posted was from June, so it's pretty much old news by now. What many of us have seen since is as follows: the closer to 9 year old 2006 EWSB is simply not as good as the closer to 10 year old EWSB of recent years. HH is a terrific company, but despite their assertions that the 2006 matches the previous years, it does not seem to. For whatever reason, EWSB just really sings at 10 years old, and in fact, I have a 10 year 8 month bottle of 2003 EWSB that is simply outstanding. So their move to younger bourbon to keep up with demand does appear to be a compromise, and I am glad I have a nice stockpile of 10 year old or 10+ year old 2003s and 2004s, with a couple of 2005s thrown in for good measure.

One thing to keep in mind here is that HH admittedly seeks to tweak/change/slightly alter the profile on this brand, from year to year. They want to stay in the same wheelhouse, but aren't looking for an exact match. I think that they find what they think is a fair example of the brand, and go with it, which is why you see many exclaim the virtues of certain vintages over others...

[squire]

That's how Craig says he chooses the barrels, a concept rather than a profile.

[MOwhisky4me]

One thing to keep in mind here is that HH admittedly seeks to tweak/change/slightly alter the profile on this brand, from year to year. They want to stay in the same wheelhouse, but aren't looking for an exact match. I think that they find what they think is a fair example of the brand, and go with it, which is why you see many exclaim the virtues of certain vintages over others...

[Robertsccr5]

I have a 2004 bottle that was barreled on 2/26/04 and bottled in November 2014, from barrel 1450. It's the oldest I've seen. Haven't cracked it open yet.

This made me check the 04s I just picked up. They are barrel 275, barreled on April 5th 2004 and bottled February 6th 2014 so just a shade under 10 years.

[Golzee]

This made me check the 04s I just picked up. They are barrel 275, barreled on April 5th 2004 and bottled February 6th 2014 so just a shade under 10 years.

I'll add my 2 cents, the 2004 that I have stashed is barrel no. 293. barreled on April 5th, 2004 as well. Bottled February 8th, 2014. I would be interested in doing a SBS to see exactly what a difference the barrel does to conceivably the same whiskey distillate (I am assuming these were from the same run). Also, this makes me want more info on bottles. Rickhouse and floor would be nice.

[O'DubhGhaill]

That's how Craig says he chooses the barrels, a concept rather than a profile.

For me, this is exactly what makes the pursuit and resulting taste comparisons of each year's EWSB so much fun. It is also what makes reviews of any EWSB really only relevant to the barrel pulled. Life is like a bottle of EWSB - you never know what ...

[O'DubhGhaill]

I just discovered 5 bottles of 2005 vintage, barrel number 666! True devil's cut. I am holding off for now....:hot:

[Xevious]

My son's 10th birthday was last week' date=' so I picked up three 2005s, one to drink now, and two to open with him in 11 years.[/quote']

Thought this was a great idea. My son was born in 2005 also, so I snagged the last 2005 bottle at my local shop for his 21st. My second son was born in 2011 so I'll do the same for him in a few years once that vintage is available.

[jeffrey r]

Thought this was a great idea. My son was born in 2005 also, so I snagged the last 2005 bottle at my local shop for his 21st. My second son was born in 2011 so I'll do the same for him in a few years once that vintage is available.

Just realized that my son was born in 2005 as well, and that I should look in my stash for a 2005 and put it aside. Nice idea.

[Dave43]

Just bought a 2006 for $20...the best value in bourbon today.

[fozzy71]

Just bought a 2006 for $20...the best value in bourbon today.

.

have you tasted it yet? I was not a fan of the 06 at all

[O'DubhGhaill]

Just bought a 2006 for $20...the best value in bourbon today.

That is an outstanding price. I scored some Elijah Craig 12yr for $23 this week on sale at one of my local stores. I've done head to head with the 2006, 2005, 2004 and like them all, each in its own way. I drink the 2006 guiltlessly as it is widely available right now. Interesting comparison the EWSB to EC12...maybe in another thread. All are are incredible values!

[Robertsccr5]

I arrived in Kansas last week and bought EWSB 06 and OWA 107. The 06 isn't bad but not very exciting. I find myself going for the OWA much more. Have a few days left with them in Kansas.

[Jazz Nut]

I just picked up a 2006 that was aged 9 years and 11 months, the oldest aged 2006 I've seen in the Twin Cities, I plan on opening it up soon. Hopefully it's better than the first 2006 I had--which was fairly thin, with sharp alcohol.

[BourbonGuy]

Thought this was a great idea. My son was born in 2005 also, so I snagged the last 2005 bottle at my local shop for his 21st. My second son was born in 2011 so I'll do the same for him in a few years once that vintage is available.

My son was born in 1989 and I purchased some Thomas Hardy Ales. He hates the stuff. Now what to do with all this ale?

[O'DubhGhaill]

My wife brought home from Paris a 2003 to add to the mix. I would open it right away if I had another in reserve. The hunt continues...

[ethangsmith]

Was just at the local state store and there are now bottles of 2007 on the shelf! Sheesh!