Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage 2015

Taking the day off to catch up on some long-overdue whiskey reviews, and this Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage 2015 at 86.6 Proof was a pleasant surprise.

Nose

Pleasantly creamy and buttery right out of the glass. Layers of warm cinnamon spice mingle with mild lemon citrus. There’s a faint hint of peanuts along with dusty oak and caramel that round everything out nicely.

Palate

The first sip opens with a sugary sweetness balanced by citrus, light oak, and a very enjoyable nuttiness. As it moves into the mid-palate, black pepper and faint vanilla cream begin to emerge. The nutty sweetness remains consistent throughout the experience, and there’s an interesting layer of salinity that blends with the nuttiness in a way that reminds me of salted peanut brittle.

Despite the relatively low proof, there’s a touch of youthful vigor that gives the bourbon some welcome liveliness. For those of us who typically prefer the punch of higher proof whiskies and sometimes struggle with lower-proof bottles, this Evan Williams Single Barrel is an unexpected treat.

Finish

The finish begins with a slightly tart, funky note that fades mid-finish but occasionally resurfaces. Thankfully, the pleasant nuttiness carries through to the end, and even at 86.6 proof, there’s a satisfying warmth that settles nicely in the chest.

This particular bottle was barreled on January 8, 2015, and bottled March 18, 2024, making it 9 years and 2 months old.

Value

If you can look past that small bit of funk on the finish, this particular batch is a fantastic value at $34.99 and well worth picking up.