Popular Kentucky Distilleries: Evan Williams

OriginLouisville, Kentucky, United States
ManufacturerHeaven Hill Distilleries, Inc.
EstablishedFounded in 1783
OwnershipHeaven Hill Distillery

Introduction

Here is a summary paragraph of the information provided about Evan Williams’ popular bourbon and whiskey products:

Evan Williams offers a diverse lineup of bourbon and whiskey products, ranging from their classic Bottled-in-Bond expression with notes of caramel, vanilla, and spice, to their premium Single Barrel bourbon featuring fruit and oak flavors, to their affordable Black Label entry-level bourbon. The distillery also produces a small batch 1783 bourbon with more complex flavors like salted caramel and eggnog spice.

Evan Williams has a rich history dating back to 1783 when the brand’s namesake founded Kentucky’s first commercial distillery, and the company continues to use traditional methods like sour mash fermentation and charred oak barrels in its bourbon production today. The Evan Williams brand is now owned by the Heaven Hill Distillery and remains one of the top-selling bourbon brands in the United States.

Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond: A classic Evan Williams bourbon aged in a federally overseen warehouse, offering notes of caramel, vanilla, oak, black pepper, musty cellar wood, and spicy tobacco. Considered a versatile option for cocktails.

Evan Williams Single Barrel: Hand-selected single barrel bourbon with flavors of fruit candy, vanilla, dry corn, caramel apples, oak, and a slight spice burn. Known for its simplicity and accessibility as an entry-point bourbon suitable for mixing or sipping neat.

Evan Williams Black Label: An entry-level bourbon with a mix of four to seven-year-old barrels, providing a solid and affordable option for introducing someone to bourbon or using in cocktails.

Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch: A small batch bourbon marrying 200 barrels of Evan Williams bourbon, bottled at 45% ABV, offering flavors like vanilla creaminess, salted caramel apples, eggnog spice, pear candy, apple tobacco, and toffee.

Timeline

  • 1783: Evan Williams, a Welsh immigrant, establishes his distillery in Louisville, Kentucky.
  • 1935: The Heaven Hill Distillery acquires the Evan Williams brand.
  • Present: Evan Williams Bourbon is one of the top-selling bourbon brands in the United States.

Famous Product Releases

  • Evan Williams Black Label: A classic bourbon with a smooth taste and affordable price.
  • Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage: A premium bourbon aged for around 9-10 years, offering rich flavors.

Important People in the Distillery History

  • Evan Williams: Founder of the distillery and a key figure in the bourbon industry.
  • Max L. Shapira: President of Heaven Hill Distillery, overseeing the Evan Williams brand.

Significant Historical Events for the Distillery

  • Prohibition Era: The distillery survived Prohibition by producing medicinal whiskey.
  • Fire Incident (1996): A fire destroyed a significant portion of Heaven Hill’s whiskey inventory.

Interviews with People at the Distillery

  • Interviews with Master Distillers discussing bourbon-making techniques and traditions.
  • Insights from brand ambassadors on the unique qualities of Evan Williams bourbons.

Other Information about Products and Practices

  • Evan Williams uses traditional methods like sour mash fermentation and charred oak barrels.
  • The distillery offers tours for visitors to learn about bourbon production and history.

Sources


[1] https://evanwilliams.com/ew-blacklabel
[2] https://www.reddit.com/r/bourbon/comments/12zizzw/review_621_evan_williams_bottled_in_bond_bourbon/
[3] https://evanwilliams.com/bottled-in-bond-bourbon
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evan_Williams_%28bourbon%29
[5] https://evanwilliams.com