Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Evan Williams · Heaven Hill Distillery
Named for the year Evan Williams set up his still on the banks of the Ohio River, 1783 Small Batch is proof that decisive craft doesn't require a premium price tag. It's a reliable, well-balanced daily bourbon that punches above its weight at every pour.
Nose
Caramel and vanilla lead with a soft underpinning of toasted oak. Light corn sweetness and a whisper of dried orange peel develop with time in the glass.
Palate
Medium-bodied with a buttery entry that gives way to brown sugar, mild oak tannins, and a gentle rye spice at the edges. There is a pleasant creaminess throughout.
Finish
Clean and moderate, with lingering caramel and a faint charred oak note that fades gracefully.
- Mash Bill
- Approximately 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley
- Barrel Type
- New charred American oak
- Bottled in Bond
- No
- Single Barrel
- No
- Wheated
- No
Cocktail Suggestion
The River Ward — 2 oz Evan Williams 1783 · 0.75 oz sweet vermouth · 0.25 oz allspice dram · 2 dashes Angostura bitters · Stir over ice, strain into a coupe, garnish with a brandied cherry.
Food Pairing
The bourbon's caramel sweetness and charred oak match the smoky bark and tangy vinegar slaw of classic pulled pork sliders, creating a complementary bridge between sweet and savory.
Produced at Heaven Hill's Bernheim facility in Louisville, this small batch expression honors the legacy of Kentucky's first commercial distiller, who began making whiskey along the Ohio River in 1783.
Be the first to comment.
Leave a comment
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch C923
Elijah Craig
Batch C923 is Heaven Hill's twilight masterpiece: enormous proof harnessed into something meditative and deep. This is bourbon for the hour when the sky goes from gold to indigo—bold enough to sharpen every sense, layered enough to reward slow contemplation. A benchmark barrel-proof expression that competes with bottles at twice the price.
Larceny Barrel Proof Batch B524
Larceny
Larceny Barrel Proof continues to deliver exceptional value in the cask-strength wheated bourbon category. Batch B524 balances its considerable proof with enough wheat-driven softness to remain dangerously drinkable. A few drops of water bloom the caramel and pecan notes without losing any structural complexity.
Larceny Barrel Proof Batch C924
Larceny
Larceny Barrel Proof consistently demonstrates what happens when wheat meets new charred oak at full strength — the entry point is soft, but the barrel takes over with authority. The C924 batch is a textbook example of the series' ability to balance power with approachability.
Elijah Craig 23 Year Old Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Elijah Craig
This is bourbon that has transcended sugar and arrived at something more contemplative. At 23 years, the sweetness has been transmuted by oak and time into a structural depth — caramel and toffee exist not as endpoints but as foundations for tobacco, leather, and bitter chocolate. It is a masterclass in how age can transform bourbon's inherent sweetness into profound, multidimensional complexity. A rare and worthy meditation on patience.
Wathen's Single Barrel Bourbon
Wathen's
Wathen's Single Barrel is an underappreciated gem that delivers approachable complexity at a fair price. Its grain-forward sweetness and silky texture make it a natural embodiment of harvest warmth—golden, generous, and quietly confident. A bourbon that rewards patience without demanding it.
James E. Pepper Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
James E. Pepper
James E. Pepper's barrel proof expression channels the brand's storied legacy — the distillery that gave us the Old Fashioned cocktail — into an uncut, unapologetic bourbon that rewards patience and purposeful sipping. At cask strength, every flavor element is bound tightly together in remarkable cohesion. This is a bourbon with deep roots and serious intent, delivering well beyond its price point.
Wyoming Whiskey Small Batch Bourbon
Wyoming Whiskey
Wyoming Whiskey proves that terroir isn't just a wine term. The high-altitude grain and mineral-rich water give this bourbon a clarity and lift that sets it apart from heavier Kentucky styles. An honest, well-made daily drinker with real character.
Widow Jane The Vaults 2024 Release Bourbon Whiskey
Widow Jane
Widow Jane's The Vaults release is a testament to how water source and blending artistry can channel terroir into bourbon. The Rosendale limestone mine water that defines Widow Jane's character is on full display here—a mineral backbone that gives this whiskey its singular sense of place. In an issue devoted to mineral memory, this bourbon proves that stone can speak through spirit.