Evan Williams 250th Single Barrel Vintage Bourbon
The Stats
- Distillery: Heaven Hill Distillery
- Location: Bardstown, KY
- Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Style: Single Barrel (250th Anniversary Release)
- Proof: 117.76 Proof (58.88% ABV)
- Age: 7–9 Years
- Mash Bill: 78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 10% Rye
- Release: Limited (250 Barrels)
- MSRP: $35
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Evan Williams 250th Single Barrel doesn’t try to reinvent Evan Williams. It leans into what the brand has always been about: approachable, traditional bourbon, but with more proof and a little more intent. Does this anniversary release actually elevate the profile, or is it just the same familiar experience with a better story?
Positioned as a limited, patriotic release tied to America’s 250th anniversary, this bottle brings a noticeable shift on paper. A higher proof, single-barrel variation, and a tighter release window all suggest something more ambitious than the standard 86.6-proof offering. More proof should mean more flavor, more structure, and more depth. But it also raises expectations. And that’s where this bottle lives, in the tension between familiarity and elevation.
A Familiar Profile, Turned Up Slightly
Evan Williams Single Barrel has always been about value. Easy drinking, age-stated, consistent. This release doesn’t abandon that identity. It builds on it.
The core profile is still very much intact. Classic Kentucky bourbon notes lead the way, with a profile that feels immediately recognizable. But compared to the standard version, this brings more presence. More oak, more texture, and a little more edge from the higher proof. It’s not a transformation. It’s a refinement.
What you get is a bourbon that feels like a more complete version of what Evan Williams already does well. Slightly richer, slightly more structured, but still firmly in that traditional lane.
Tasting Notes
Aroma
Classic bourbon profile right away. Caramel and vanilla lead, backed by light baking spice and a subtle nuttiness that leans into that familiar Heaven Hill character.
As it opens, a touch of orchard fruit comes through, apple and pear with a slight tart edge. There’s more oak here than in the standard release, giving it a bit more structure on the nose, but it stays approachable and easy to revisit.
Taste
More expressive than the nose suggests. The higher proof shows up immediately with a bit of heat on the first sip, followed by a wave of caramel, vanilla, and baking spice. There’s a creamy quality to the palate that balances the spice, along with subtle notes of apple, pear, and possibly a light cherry sweetness underneath. The fruit is present but not dominant.
Overall, it’s very traditional. Nothing overly complex or surprising, but well-balanced and easy to drink once it settles in.
Finish
Medium length with a warm, lingering spice and oak presence.
The finish leans into that classic bourbon profile, vanilla, light caramel, and a touch of dryness from the oak. It’s structured enough to feel complete, but not bold enough to stand out as a defining feature.
Artfully Bourbon Rating
6.5 / 10 - Above Average
Evan Williams 250th Single Barrel is a clear step up from the standard release, but it stops short of feeling truly special. The added proof brings more depth and structure, and at this price, the value remains very strong.
At around $35–$50, this is an easy pickup. It’s approachable, familiar, and slightly elevated from what most expect from Evan Williams.
This is for drinkers who enjoy classic bourbon profiles and want a little more intensity without stepping into higher-priced or more aggressive bottles. If you like Heaven Hill products or traditional, caramel-and-vanilla-forward bourbons, this will land comfortably in your wheelhouse.
It’s not a must-hunt bottle, but it’s a solid one to grab if you see it. A one-and-done for most, but a good reminder of what Evan Williams does best: simple, balanced, and easy to enjoy.
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