Evan Williams 7 year...Underated???

[brian12069]

Does anyone else here think Evan Williams 7 year is an underated bourbon? I go back to it from time to time (it's very inexpensive) and it is an enjoyable beverage. Ranks up there with some of the best IMHO.

[pete_d]

It's on my list. I really enjoy the Single Barrel and I've just rediscovered the Elijah Craig 12, so I think the 7yo will be the next everyday bottling to get.

It'd be good to hear more opinions on this one...or if anyone's tried the Red 12yo.

[brian12069]

I tried the single barrel a few weeks ago...it was good also.

[ratcheer]

I bought one bottle of it when it was on sale a few years ago. That was when it was 90-proof. It was okay but on the thin side for my tastes. It was not difficult to drink it all, but I doubt that I will try it, again.

My favorite low-cost pour (that is available, locally) is Old Grand Dad 86-proof. It has a substance to it that I did not find in EW. My second choice would probably be Old Forester 86, but I usually step up to the 100-proof when I buy that.

Tim

[Paradox]

My second choice would probably be Old Forester 86, but I usually step up to the 100-proof when I buy that.

I agree Tim, Old Forester is a great buy and I too go with the 100 proof instead of the 86; As long as they have it. When I was on vacation in Fla this past April every store only had the 86!

[dgonano]

Most stores in Maryland that carry Old Forester only sell the 86 proof and the one store that stocks 100 proof usually fills that slot with the former. When I see the 100 , I usually pick up a few bottles. I believe the 100 uses older barrels.

Anyway the 86 proof is not bad by any means. The new packaging is nice also.

[HGB3]

The 86 proof is six years old; the 100 proof is nine years old.

[cowdery]

The 86 proof is six years old; the 100 proof is nine years old.

Do you have a source for that claim?

[LeNell]

The back of my bottles says "4 years old."

[jeff]

I always took that to mean at least 4 years old, to comply with the BIB laws. I think we had a discussion a while back and the consensus was that the OF100 is probably older than 4 years. It certainly tastes more complex than other 4 year olds on the market IMHO.

[boone]

Does anyone else here think Evan Williams 7 year is an underated bourbon?

Brian,

Underated?...On the contrary...

You are right in "your opinion" of Evan Williams 7 year black label...It's the second largest seller of extra aged bourbon in the world...

One of my lines, D-line, 1.75 glass, ran a order the other day. One customer ordered, 21,000 cases...That's alot of bourbon, for one order. It's the biggest single order I have ever seen since working at Heaven Hill. I usually, see lots of other "combined" orders that tally alot but never "one" single that big.

Bettye Jo

[cowdery]

Your better standard bourbons, I'm told, tend in fact to be between five and six years old, probably with some older whiskey thrown in unless they are BIB, in which case everything in the bottle has to be from the same season. Age statements always declare the youngest whiskey in the bottle. I have been told by people with an axe to grind (i.e., bourbon makers) that Jack Daniel's is four years and a day, but Beam, Forester, Maker's, Turkey, et. al. tend to be in the 5-6 year range.

But as I am also fond of saying, what is true of people is also true of whiskey. Age and maturity are not the same thing.

[cowdery]

One customer ordered 21,000 cases...

What can I say, I was thirsty.

[dgonano]

Chuck,

Last year when I was searching for some Birthday Bourbon, I called Brown- Forman direct and got into a discussion about the 86 and 100 proof Old Foresters. A company representative told me that the 100 proof version was older than the 86 proof. The 86 proof itself being a few years older than the stated 4 yrs. I can't vouch for the exact ages.

They also said the 100 proof would qualify as BIB.

[boone]

What can I say, I was thirsty.

Chuck ...

You da man

Now let's have that book

I am ready to have a book signing at my BF party!!!!!!!

Bettye Jo

[jeff]

unless they are BIB, in which case everything in the bottle has to be from the same season.

Chuck,

But that doesn't necessarily mean that it must be from a season 4 years ago does it? Could a BIB bourbon be 7 years old, so long as all of the bourbon in it is seven years old?

[jeff]

Don't forget, I'm in for 5,000 of those cases

[boone]

Hey Jeff!

You da other man

I'll let you be the "Crowd control officer" and Jim Butler be the Master of Ceremonies, at my place, when Chuck has his book signing

Ohhhhhhhhhhh Yeahhhhhhhhhhhh

Bettye Jo

BTW---Just got back from vacation...had a great time

[cowdery]

Could a BIB bourbon be 7 years old, so long as all of the bourbon in it is seven years old?

Yes.

[TNbourbon]

See this recent thread:

Old Charter 7yo BIB

[jeff]

Well Duh

[Gillman]

Recently I had this bourbon, a quart given to me as a gift by a friend. I found it very good and can see why it sells very well.

From a whiskey drinker's point of view, it has character. There is, despite the full 7 years of age, a good rye and possibly congeneric flavour, also a good wood smoke taste. It is not extra-refined, rather it is (I would say) unrefined in the best sense. I can see that this would punch through cola and other mixtures, and in that sense, it trumps an older but softer bourbon which might not come through the mix as well. Say, the very fine '94 EWSB, for example. I find too as it sits in the bottle it seems to mellow down, gaining sweetness and balance. Very good, another notch in Heaven Hill's belt. The house is a quality act.

Gary