Evan Williams Single Barrel: Great Years...and Not So Great??

[Guest]

Through this forum and a few reviews and videos, I've noted that the Evan Williams Single Barrel has some years that are generally thought to be very good, and some...well, not so good.  I recently picked up the 2008 (based on a few positive reviews here and elsewhere) and I rather like it -- especially QPR wise.  I'm curious to hear from others who have tasted the 2008, regarding its comparative quality to other years.  Also curious to hear about any other years to seek out.  Thanks!

[Richdel]

Today I picked up a 2004 after reading great reviews for EWSB2004 and prior.  I read that the quality started falling off with the 2005, don't know this for a fact, but most reviewers seemed "meh" about 2005 and 2006.  Not sure about 2007 and 2008, but great reviews for 2004 and prior.  But it is also a single barrel, so YMMV when choosing bottles and years.  Will report back when I open the 2004, maybe later tonight.

[Guest]

4 minutes ago, Richdel said:

Today I picked up a 2004 after reading great reviews for EWSB2004 and prior.  I read that the quality started falling off with the 2005, don't know this for a fact, but most reviewers seemed "meh" about 2005 and 2006.  Not sure about 2007 and 2008, but great reviews for 2004 and prior.  But it is also a single barrel, so YMMV when choosing bottles and years.  Will report back when I open the 2004, maybe later tonight.

Thanks, interested to hear what you find w your 2004.  ...And yeah, I should point out quickly that I realize that it is indeed a Single Barrel offering, so it varies from barrel to barrel and bottle to bottle.  Tonight was my third pour from the 2008 bottle I purchased and it was really quite good.  Almost a honey like quality to the sweetness.

[Richnimrod]

The 'vintage' year really matters rather less than the actual barrel.    True; some vintage years seemed to offer a greater number of really nice barrels than others...but the trend has been toward those nice ones becoming fewer and fewer over the last 4 or 5 years.    So my advice is try to taste several (by whatever method your situation allows, or your wallet can stand), then if you find a barrel that hits your high spots; load up on that barrel.   Buy several bottles or even a few cases, if you find a total 'honey'.

[Thig]

The 2003 and 2004 were good, beyond that I have to come all the way to 2008 to find one that I think is really good. All of them are at least average and none are really bad.

[Paddy]

The profile does vary from year to year as well.  Given that, our preferences should also, as each 'vintage' is a representation of the master distillers selection to represent the brand for the given year. 

[Limegoldconvertible68]

I picked up two 2004's based on the positive reviews but haven't opened them yet. I'm working on an '08 and I find it to be very enjoyable. 

[lcpfratn]

I really enjoyed the first 2008 bottle that I bought earlier this, so I went back and bought half a case from the same barrel. Since then, I've picked up several bottles from 2005 through 2007 vintages. I've tried one of the 2005 bottles, and it was good, but not quite as good as the bottles from the 2008 barrel that I've tried. I haven't tried any of the 2006 or 2007 bottles yet, but I think they are all from different barrels. Most of the 2005 bottles that I have are also from the same barrel. So, while there will be differences from barrel to barrel, I think most of the vintages are pretty good, and sometimes younger (my 2008 is a bit over 8 yrs) is even better than some of the older aged vintages (the 2005 is a bit over 10 yrs old).


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[Flyfish]

13 hours ago, lcpfratn said:

I really enjoyed the first 2008 bottle that I bought earlier this, so I went back and bought half a case from the same barrel. Since then, I've picked up several bottles from 2005 through 2007 vintages. I've tried one of the 2005 bottles, and it was good, but not quite as good as the bottles from the 2008 barrel that I've tried. I haven't tried any of the 2006 or 2007 bottles yet, but I think they are all from different barrels. Most of the 2005 bottles that I have are also from the same barrel. So, while there will be differences from barrel to barrel, I think most of the vintages are pretty good, and sometimes younger (my 2008 is a bit over 8 yrs) is even better than some of the older aged vintages (the 2005 is a bit over 10 yrs old).


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Some of us would be interested in your response to the different vintages in a blind side-by-side tasting.

[BDanner]

The 04 was outstanding and the 05 was meh, but I stopped purchasing EW SiB when my state began stocking Henry McKenna 10  yr SiB. For just a couple dollars more, it is a full 10 years old and 100 proof. They do shoot for a different profile with each "vintage" and from what I'm hearing on the 08 I'll definitely give it a try.

[mosugoji64]

I have/had '93 and every year from '96 to '04 and have enjoyed them all. Each one offers something a bit different but they're all unmistakably EWSB. My favorite has been (interestingly) the Beam-distilled '97. I stopped buying after '04 not because of the reduction in age but because I found that I just prefer HH whiskey at 90 proof and higher. Echoing what Rich said, buy more of a barrel you like and worry less about the vintage.