March 1st, 2010

Review of two value bourbons: Old Crow Reserve and Evan Williams

John Hansell

On Friday, I received a review bottle of the new Old Crow “Reserve” with a press release that states it is intended to compete with Evan Williams. So, I procured a bottle of Evan Williams (on sale for $8.99 right now here in Pennsylvania) and compared the two.

You wanted me to review value whiskeys. I’m delivering.

Old Crow Reserve, 4 year old, 43%, $12
A new “upgrade” from the standard Old Crow, which is only three years old. Soft aroma of sweet corn, candy corn, vanilla and light caramel. Similar follow through on the palate—predominently sweet, with more corn, vanilla, and light caramel. It finishes sweet (too sweet, actually), a bit grainy, and slightly hot. 

Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 75

If this brand is meant to compete with Evan Williams, then this four year old should be the standard “Old Crow” and the Reserve expression should be more like five or six years old, because the standard Evan Williams bottling (with no age statement) reviewed  below is clearly superior to Old Crow Reserve. Old Crow Reserve is too sweet and lacks oak notes for balance and complexity. It’s acceptable enough as a mixing bourbon or perhaps on the rocks, but I wouldn’t drink this neat or with water.

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And now, the Evan Williams Review:

Evan Williams, 43%, $12
Nice balance of honeyed vanilla, caramel, soft oak and a hint of summer fruits and creamy coconut on both the nose and palate. Soft, lightly dried spice notes emerge on a pleasant, albiet brief, finish. Economically priced to use as a mixer or on the rocks, but also high enough quality to enjoy neat or with a splash of water.  A highly versatile bourbon.

Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 81

Bottom line here: If you’re looking for a versatile,  inexpensive bourbon to have on hand, Evan Williams is a good choice.

P.S. I shared these two bourbons with a few very experienced bourbon drinkers over the weekend (some of them WDJK readers), and our feelings were unanimous.

Category: Bourbon, New Releases, Reviews Tags: , 36 Comments

November 18th, 2009

Review: Evan Williams Single Barrel (2000 Vintage)

John Hansell

The classic hits from Heaven Hill Distilleries just keep coming this year. First it was Parker’s Heritage Collection Golden Anniversary (Score: 97). Then it was the Rittenhouse Rye 25 year old Single Barrel (Score: 96). And now this gem. Well done!

EWBottle_2000_WebEvan Williams Single Barrel (2000 vintage), Barrel No. 1, 43.3%, $26
Very elegant, bright and silky smooth, with honey-kissed summer fruits, subtle tropical fruit (papaya, coconut, pineapple), gentle caramel, sweet corn, and soothing vanilla, along with a dusting of cinnamon, nutmeg and crisp mint. Pleasing, gently spicy finish. The most impressive aspect of this whiskey isn’t its variety of flavors (they are fairly traditional for a bourbon this age). It’s the integration and remarkable balance of these flavors! It’s also perilously drinkable. I can’t speak for the other barrels, but if you can track down some Barrel #1, buy two! You won’t be disappointed. Let me also note what a great value this whiskey is, compared to the way other premium American whiskeys are being priced. 

Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 95

Category: Bourbon, New Releases Tags: 29 Comments

October 30th, 2009

Great video of Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage Bourbon unveiling

John Hansell

The Bourbonblog.com guys were at the unveiling this past Saturday night and shot a great video. They really did a nice job capturing the evening. (I’m also interviewed in the video.) Have a look:

 

And just for fun, here’s their entire uncut interview with me, discussing drinking alone vs. drinking with other people, among other things (after I had a drink or two, as I recall). Enjoy!:

Category: Bourbon, Media, New Releases, Special events Tags: , , 4 Comments

October 27th, 2009

Single barrel bottling variation: big or small?

John Hansell

The are a lot of single barrel bottlings on the market, from the small independent bottlers to the big multinational congomerates. Evan Williams Single Barrel, Jack Daniels Single Barrel, Balvenie 15 year old Single Barrel: these are just a few of the more familiar ones.

So, my question is this: How much do single barrel bottlings differ from one barrel to the next?

No two barrels are the same, and that’s the charm of single barrel bottlings. But what are the chances that the next bottle you buy from that brand will taste drastically different than the last one?

Is it your experience that the variation from one single barrel bottling to another is relatively small, or have you noticed big differences? Be specific if you can.

Category: Bourbon, Opinions, Rye whiskey, Scotch whisky, Tennessee whiskey Tags: , , 12 Comments

October 25th, 2009

Evan William’s Single Barrel 2000 Vintage Debut

John Hansell

I was at the event last night where Master Distillers Parker and Craig Beam debuted the new vintage. A great time, and a very nice whiskey too. Here are a few pics from my Blackberry. (Some are a little blurry…)

The barrelThis year’s Evan Williams Single Barrel: 15th vintage!! 2000 vintage.

 

 

 

 

 

  

Parker Talkin'Master Distiller Parker Beam talking about the new vintage!! Cool!

 

 

 

 

 

 

CommunionParker and Craig Beam pouring. Damn I’m thirsty for a bourbon–out of the barrel, no less!  142.9 proof! Their highest ever!

This is the closest thing I will get to Communion!!

 

 

 

  

 

Gary ReganGary Regan: I poured too much water in mine, can you top it up Craig?

Why didn’t I think of that?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Larry Kass at Heaven Hill (not pictured): ” We have this really cool high speed bottling line. You should see it.”

Me thinking to myself: “Oh no, not another bottling line! The least exciting part of any distillery tour.”

 

PenguinAnd to end my evening at the bar called Proof: a penguin taking care of business, surprising us all…

Category: Bourbon, Events Tags: 11 Comments

August 12th, 2009

New Evan Williams Honey Reserve Flavored Bourbon

John Hansell

Described as “All flavor, no sting.”  Details below from their press release. If you like whiskey liqueurs, you might want to check it out.

EVAN WILLIAMS HONEY RESERVE FLAVORED BOURBON TO BE LAUNCHED IN SEPTEMBER

New bottling leverages popularity of both flavored spirits and Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

evan-williams-honey-reserveBARDSTOWN, KY–Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., the country’s largest independent family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer, announces the release of Evan Williams Honey Reserve Kentucky Liqueur, a new product that marries extra-aged Evan Williams Bourbon with real, natural honey.  Bottled at 70 proof and available in both a 750ml and 50ml size, Evan Williams Honey Reserve will be shipping to select markets across the country in September at an average retail price of $14.99 for the 750ml bottle.

Evan Williams Honey Reserve takes advantage of several established trends in the distilled spirits industry in general and the American straight whiskey category in particular.  First is the ongoing success of flavored spirits, whose growth is more than double that of unflavored spirits; second is the continued popularity of Bourbon,  especially Evan Williams which showed a double digit sales percentage increase in 2008; and thirdly the growth of mid-tier products, with ultra-premium brands down 2.5% and brands perceived as a better value up 5.4% year-to-date, according to AC Neilsen.  By combining Evan Williams extra-aged Bourbon, the second largest selling Bourbon brand in the United States and the world and a “Best Buy Whiskey of the Year” winner, with all-natural pure honey, Evan Williams Honey Reserve is the right product at the right time.

Packaged in the highly-recognizable square Evan Williams bottle, with a clear label carrying a striking and stylized rendition of a honey bee and a black and yellow capsule closure, Evan Williams Honey Reserve draws on the equity of the Evan Williams brand franchise, but with a contemporary flair.  At an approachable 70 proof, and with the addition of pure honey that gives it a sweet, easy-to-drink Bourbon flavor, Evan Williams Honey Reserve lives up to its tagline of “All Flavor.  No Sting.”

“We have seen remarkable success with Evan Williams Black Label and Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage Bourbons,” asserted Heaven Hill brand manager Susan Wahl.  “Given the strength of the Evan Williams brand franchise and the on-going success of the flavored spirits sub-category, we believe it is the perfect time in which to launch Evan Williams Honey Reserve.  And with a very approachable price point and a full range of retail and on-premise marketing materials available, we are expecting this to fly off the shelves.”

To create a “buzz”, Evan Williams Honey Reserve is supported by an array of retail display materials–including a permanent wire rack, floor bin, shelf talkers, case cards and a 50ml counter unit–allowing off-premise operators to create impactful displays that will capture consumer attention.  In order to generate sampling in bars and restaurants, on-premise POS including chiller machines, posters, table tents, T-shirts, shot glasses and buttons will be made available.  All POS materials utilize striking graphics and the “All Flavor.  No Sting.” positioning, rendered, appropriately, in yellow and black graphics.  Support materials also emphasize that Evan Williams Honey Reserve can be consumed as a shot or in a variety of delicious simple cocktails such as the Honey Splash and the Stinger.

Category: Bourbon, Liqueurs, New Releases Tags: 5 Comments

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