Many people say that Woodford Reserve essentially is just a new labeling of Old Forester bourbon, perhaps with select barrels. EVAN WILLIAMS Evan Williams was a natural-born leader, innovator, and entrepreneur. Evan Williams 1783 nose is oak, leather , pipe tobacco, spice with hint of mint. These come from the same mash as Elijah Craig, and are around 9-10 years old (depending on the vintage. Both Old Forester and Woodford Reserve are from Brown-Forman, with distilleries in Louisville, Kentucky. The price point is average, the packaging is … Better to me than say - Jim Beam White but not as good as Old Grand Dad BIB or Wild Turkey 101. Personally I'll take this over Buffalo Trace, Ridgemont 1792, Wild Turkey 81, Beam Black, Evan Williams 1783, and even Eagle Rare (Yes I personally find Old Forester more interesting and smoother than Eagle Rare, a 10 year old single barrel bourbon). The 10 year seriously tastes like a stack of pancakes with maple syrup (with some dust on top lol). I bought this based on the flavour profile and price mark and for a spicy, dry bourbon with depth - at this price mark - Evan Williams 1783 is ridiculously hard to beat, if not impossible at this present time. Evan Williams Black Label is a benchmark bourbon, not be confused with Benchmark Old No. J I found it a bit shocking that I found the "normal" one more to my liking, but that's why I taste blind: I don't want any preconceptions. So which was which? If you could strip the veneer off the premium bottling, this is what you'd have taken away. You cannot mistake the family resemblance between them, but each whiskey has a little different attitude. It’s one of those bourbons by which others are judged. The entry is ultra smooth with leather ,honey , spice, menthol ending with finish of menthol and spice. I get that, but if you’ve read any of my reviews, you’ll know 86 proof is not my preferred ABV. According to Heaven Hill’s web site the “Evan Williams 1783 is a small batch extra aged line extension of Evan Williams Black Label that is named after the year in which Evan Williams first established his distillery”. It shares many of the EWSB attributes, but without the depth. I found it a bit shocking that I found the "normal" one more to my liking, but that's why I taste blind: I don't want any preconceptions. Nonetheless, it is a very pleasant bourbon, and a fine value for the ultra-low price. Well, bourbon 1 was the Evan Williams 1783 and bourbon 2 was the Evan Williams Black Label. Looking in to this story, it seems that when Brown-Forman first created the Woodford Select… He worked in numerous trades as a businessman, politician, and—most notably—whiskey distiller. The time is finally here! Well, bourbon 1 was the Evan Williams 1783 and bourbon 2 was the Evan Williams Black Label. I think of this bottling as Evan Williams Single Barrel Jr. 86 Proof. it is no longer 10 years old and has less oak and more sweetness than previous 10 year old Evan Williams Bourbon 1783.It has too much sweetness now and is not as good as Evan Williams Black Label or Ezra Brooks 90 Proof . Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky. And of course, if you haven't had them, try them out, you'll be out maybe $30 for the pair. Let’s get down to the competitions. EW1783, while lower in proof, has a little more zip and spice, with OHHBIB a more balanced whiskey. Round 1 of the 2019 BourbonGuy.com Bottom Shelf Brackets opens with Division 1 Number 3 seed Evan Williams Single Barrel (2011 vintage) versus Number 6 seed Jim Beam Repeal Batch. Evan Williams 1783 is Heaven Hill’s “small batch” release that’s meant to elevate itself above the regular Evan Williams Black Label. In 1783, he founded Kentucky’s first commercial distillery on the banks of the Ohio River. That old pre-fire Evan Williams 10 year is absolutely incredible. Distiller: Brown-Forman Distillers Co. Background. There aren't many similarities to modern day Evan Williams, and certainly not to the modern day 1783. Fit: EXCELLENT This line seems to have grown quite a bit in popularity recently, and that likely means a good number of barrels in that 9 year range have been diverted from further aging to make Evan Williams Single Barrel. Completely unassuming but punches well above it's weight. 8 which I’ve previously reviewed. Price Point: $15 – $25 for 750 ML. That being said; for the $16 to $17 that a 1.75 liter of Evan Williams Black can be had for around here, it's my personal "staple" bourbon. Is there any truth to this claim? Old Forester is one of those whiskeys you see on the shelf pretty often but never think to pick up.. Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch and Old Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond are two excellent whiskeys at exceptional prices. And of course, if you haven't had them, try them out, you'll be out maybe $30 for the pair. This is a battle of Limited Edition Releases.