Evan Williams Bottled In Bond is the exact same whiskey as the Evan Williams Black Label, but distilled, aged and bottled in accordance with the Bottled-In-Bond rules. It also happens to be a good bourbon. Evan Williams definitely benefits from the higher proof and as with most BiB products, it’s a great value if you’re looking for whiskey that delivers versatility.
For decades Bonded spirits were seen as “the good stuff” because they assured consumers of a certain standard of quality which follows through today. Bonded whiskey is typically cheap and always bottled at 100 proof which makes it easy to sip but robust enough for cocktails. I always have at least one Bonded bourbon in my house at all times for that exact reason.
Evan Williams Bottled In Bond – Details and Tasting Notes
Whiskey Details
Region: Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Heaven Hill Distillery
Mash bill: 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% barley
Cask: new charred oak
Age: 4+ years
ABV: 50%
Price: $18
Tasting Notes
OVERALL
Aroma is your typical bourbon profile of darkly sweet and oaky spicy goodness, but it’s delivered in a warm velvety way that keeps my nose heading back to the glass over and over; Palate comes through in a similar fashion but carries more oak and has a creaminess to it; Finish is a long sweet fade of best oak, spice and sweet notes. I’m a big fan of the Evan Williams Bonded.
EYE
Leather gloves
NOSE
Caramel-heavy dark sweets, oak, French vanilla, dark fruit and sweet cream move out at a lazy pace with a light touch of maple and raw grain coming through now and then.
PALATE
Creamy caramel, oak, toasted corn, spice, French vanilla, and dark fruit account for most of the flavor with a nice light creamy sweetness and a touch of leather lending additional dimension.
FINISH
Long and spice-driven accompanied by notes of dark fruit, dark sweets and wood.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Good balance, medium body and a smooth, almost velvety, texture.
Evan Williams Bottled In Bond – Final Thoughts and Score
A tasty bourbon at a phenomenal price. Pleasant neat, robust in cocktails and enjoyable before, during or after meals…. basically enjoyable at any time. There’s really not enough good to say about this whiskey.
This is one of those whiskeys that are so versatile I like to keep it around as often as possible now that it’s available in Los Angeles. When it comes to value the Evan Williams Bottled In Bond is a fantastic deal with endless sensory enjoyment for under 20 bones. If you haven’t tried this one yet give it a go when you get a chance.
SCORE: 86/100
Evan Williams Bottled In Bond Review $18
Summary
This is a quality bourbon that won’t break the bank, but have you coming back for more. Every bottle is quality.
Overall
- Nose
- Palate
- Finish
- BBF
User Review
( votes)( reviews)
Undesired flavor undertone.
Hi Josh, I find myself enjoyably referring to the Jug around 3 times per week. Thank you!
About 2 weeks ago, I purchased a bottle of Evan Williams Bib in upstate NY. The aroma and flavor profile impressed me, but to the flavor there was a strong undertone of hay(?) that turned me off.
Reading some of the reviews posted at your site, perhaps I’ll try again in about 6 months.
All the best,
That is the fun, and the curse, of Bonded whiskey. Since it all has to come from one season, if something is a bit weird in the barrels or distillation you can’t blend it away with younger or older whiskey. Cheers Frederick
Wow, $25.50 for a handle! I am very impressed with this bargain, high quality bourbon. The jug review pretty much nails it but I will add the nose offers a pleasant hit of ethanol. I get a little vanilla, maraschino cherry flavor that fades into a nice oak, woody finish. I am pleasantly surprised at the depth of this bargain bourbon and we be sure to keep in the house bourbon rotation.
One of my faves, I always have a 750 around, but damn, you scored with that deal. That’s what I usually pay for that 750! Cheers Bianchibuddy
Works for me!
Picked up a bottle yesterday along with a bottle of Rare Breed. Just made a mint julep with it and it’s great! I don’t know why someone wouldn’t like this. Easy to drink, goes great in a cocktail and just the right amount of heat.
Couldn’t agree more Chad. Cheers!
Great everyday bourbon...
I have been picking this up regularly for a while and, despite some recent negative reviews, my bottles have all been really good bang for the buck… I passed this over for a while and decided to pick up a bottle for $15 about a year ago…its been a regular in my collection ever since and I’m never without it now… I have not detected any of the mildew or old flavors that others have gotten recently…just a smooth caramelly everyday drinker…hoping my luck continues….cheers Josh!
Cheers Jason!
Nasty Bottle
I got a 1/75 a weeks ago and it tastes, as somebody said above, like mildew. I have been drinking the Evan Williams BiB for year and have alway had it on hand as a hailyt mixer and also to drink straight. This bottle is flat-out dirty. I hope it;s a one-off but, c’mon. This bottle is nasty.
You’re the second one whose mentioned the recent batch has been horrible. That sucks, I guess I won’t replenish the one I’m close to killing soon. Cheers Josh!
Great product, did get a tainted bottle
I buy about 2 half gallons a week of this stuff! I absolutely enjoy it and have for years!
Althought today i got one and cracked it open and poured it out after 3 sips. Must be a tainted bottle or something. Tasted weak as well as finished with a musty/moldy taste. My wife tried it with the same results!
This wont deter me from purchasing again but just sucks tomorrow is thanksgivibg and theyre closed so i cant replenish my stash…
Oh man, I’m so sorry to hear that Alex, that’s a huge bummer. Hopefully you got something good the day after! Cheers!
good stuff and good value
certainly tastes to me unlike EW black label
sweeter and more complex and more caramely finish
Taste like mildew and dirt
This is as bad a whiskey as I have ever drank. It had a smell and taste of dirt and strong mildew. I bought a bottle that will never get drank. It truly is off putting.
Sounds like a tainted bottle to me. Yikes.
Just picked up a fresh bottle. There’s a new label with a green band. Tastes like a new season as well, much more spice than prior editions and little to none of the creamy quality that is evident in prior releases.
Have you noticed this yourself, Josh?
Hey Dave! I have a recent release, but I haven’t opened it yet. Gotta get through the review backlog first! But I will say the last batch I had (2020) was a bit fruitier than others and a touch less oaky. Cheers Dave!
I’ve been on a BIB kick s since March (covid/lockdown/etc) and I gotta say I’m so happy to see this review. In the BIB world I’ve now tried the OGD, JB, EW, a few others and recently the Old Tub and I keep thinking that, at the end of the day, I really like the EW. I don’t have the most refined palette and I like the OGD spiciness from the extra rye quite a lot but at ten dollars cheaper I just keep coming back to the EW BIB. Scotch is a bit much for me, and I like Irish just fine, the Black Bush in particular, but Bourbon seems to be where my mouth is most happy and, again for the price, the EW BIB is excellent. Nice to know I’m not alone in enjoying this daily sipper.
You’re definitely not alone in that love. This is one of my go-to whiskeys. Cheers Hofnarr!
The BiB act continues to show why its government’s giant bear hug to the people. The BiB is a big step up from the Black Label in quality. Really pleasant. Can’t believe its taken me this long to get around to it.
Cheers Bryce!
First off , I love your reviews. I always make sure to check your rating before trying something new. I’ve got to say I actually really enjoy EW BIB. For me, I get a step cinnamon and clove taste on the palate, followed up by some sweet corn from this bourbon. It’s very enjoyable.
I’d probably say this Elijah Craig and George Dickel 12 are my favorites for moderate to low priced bourbon.
I do think you underrate Glenlivet 18 but, that’s a different conversation entirely.
Hey Nick,
Thank you, that means the world to me and I’m even more happy that you like the EW BiB!
Ha, I do like the EW 18, but when I taste it next to the 21 it just doesn’t seem like it’s in the same league. That 3 years (and cask selection) makes an insane difference :)
Cheers!
A splendid surprise for 20 dollars a bottle in SC. Smooth and friendly. Thank you pointing me in the direction of this nice bourbon.
I love pointing people to this whiskey. Cheers!
I agree 100% with your review and this bottle (similarly to Dickel #12 and Corn Mellow) exceeded all of my expectations especially when considering its price point and placement among the shelves. I finally made it to KY and the Bourbon Trail recently and I can say they rightfully offer a sample of the BiB at the Evan Williams Experience with pride!
Oh that’s awesome. Last time I was in KY the experience wasn’t open yet, so awesome you got to do that. Cheers Joe!
Just picked up a bottle for $12.95 at a New Hampshire State Liquor Store! Can’t beat that price for a good bourbon
WOW! That’s a great deal. Cheers Chris!
My Favorite bourbon everyday price in central Indiana 24.99$
That’s a nice price. Cheers Andrew!
I will freely admit that I have not had this bourbon as of yet but I saw some on the shelf for around 18 bucks today. I did pick up a bottle of Blanton’s and almost pull the trigger on this but decided against it. With these reviews I’m going back to purchase this. I’m always on the lookout for an everyday drinker… I find myself sipping on a good bottle more and more these days so I’m looking for something that is fairly economical… I love high-end bourbon like everyone else but I just can’t do it on a regular basis… thanks for the reviews Josh! I will be purchasing some of this very soon and report back on my findings!
Awesome, please do Jason! I think it’s one of the best bang-for-your-buck bourbons around. Cheers!
I can get a pint of this at one of my favorite local stores for $8. When you consider what you’re getting for what you’re paying, you can’t beat it.
That’s a hell of a deal, wish I could get that here!
How does the EW Bottled in Bond compare to the EW 1783 Small Batch? Does being “small batch” add value? I didn’t see a direct comparison in the comments.
I like the Bonded more. I find it to be a better whiskey on the whole from batch to batch. Oakier and more dark fruit, less nutty aspect. Cheers Mark!
Just bought a bottle based on The Week magazine review of best low cost bourbons, Januaty 2019. Excellent! It was in the magazines top three under 15 bucks. I agree!
So good! Cheers John!
Tried it. Good mixer but not as good as the black label to me. It is too sweet. Was pretty pscych’d when I opened it but it literally tastes like someone dumped Caro syrup into my whisky. Perhaps I got a weird bottle? Great review. CHEERS
Hey Aaron,
Sounds weird to me, but it is Bonded so everything is released in seasonal batches and will change a bit with each release. Interesting yours was so weird.
Cheers!
Bought a bottle last night based on this review. Wow, what a great bourbon! I’d put this right in there with WT101 and Buffalo Trace. Solid whiskey, fantastic price.
This stuff is great.
I really like the black label, but after this the black doesn’t taste as good.
I always have a 1.75 in the house.
I live near Ft. Wayne Indiana and here it only costs 12.99. Amazing price yes but I have to admit it did turn me away at first cause let’s face it, most bourbons this cheap are usually rot gut. Just tried it tonight and found it a bit sweeter than I like my bourbons, but surprisingly appealing all in all.
Nice, glad you gave it a try. Cheers Brett!
This retails for $12.95-15.95 750ml in my neck of the woods. At that price, it’s hard to find a reason to buy the black label version over BIB. An excellent value, and it stands up to mixers quite well, while keeping a big bourbon flavor.
Tried this a couple of years ago and found it to have an odd musty flavor. Just tried it again and it was wonderful- that rich, full-bodied, traditional bourbon flavor that Heaven Hill is known for. Guess it is possible for a mass produced product to slip through quality control. So now this is one of my favorite pours. Thanks for your review Josh. Otherwise I would have probably given up on this version.
Ah, I’m glad you like it. Cheers Kraig!
Pulled this EWBiB out again today and was reminded how solid a buy it is. Bolder than I remember.
Just found this for 11.99 or 20.99 for the 1.75… at that price, this just became something that lives in my house. I’ve had $30 whiskeys that aren’t as good. It’s not perfect, but it’s good enough.
I agree. I have had better, but at a much higher price. To me this is one of the best kept secrets in the liquor store. This is sweet, pretty smooth, doesn’t hold up the best when the ice starts to melt like Wild Turkey does, but dang for $12-15 a bottle, it is hard to beat,
EW BIB is my “house” bourbon–great value and perfect for cocktails, e.g., Manhattan & Old Fashioned. However, I prefer OG BIB because of the higher rye content, which I prefer in a cocktail. Unfortunately, it only comes in 750 bottle. Are there any plans to do a 1.75?
OGD got rid of their 1.75 recently unfortunately so none for the foreseeable future :/
Thanks for the tip. Having a sip as I write this comment. I’ve always been a fan of EW black label. This really is very similar, but seems sweeter/smoother with the exception of that kind of lump/heat that sits at the back of your throat telling you it’s 100 proof.
Cheers!
I can’t believe the amount of people jumping on the bandwagon. This stuff is trash. Did a blind test with some friends that aren’t big bourbon connoisseurs but they all picked this one out as the worst!
Ok.
Just made myself an old fashioned for the first time with whiskey. While I think I got a ways to go on my cocktail-making skills, it was still pleasant. Good call on this, it’s a pretty good whiskey, especially for the price!
I love it for cocktails. The 100 proof is excellent in there. Cheers Andrew!
This is my new favorite value bourbon. Just picked up a 750m for 11 bucks and damn if its not as good as some of the 30+ stuff that I’ve had. Lets keep this one on the downlow so they dont start upping the price. Kind of like the fact that Evan Williams gets overlooked because of their low prices but they are all good bourbons imho
I’m not a huge fan of the 1783, but definitely dig the rest right along with you. Cheers Rich!
Agree with the positive reviews.
I bought a bottle on a recent trip to Kentucky and brought it back to the bourbon starved state of Vermont
Nice to drink straight!
Nothing better than a cheap bourbon that tastes awesome. Cheers Christopher!
Took a while to find, but was in a store in a nearby smaller town and they had at least 20 bottles on display for $11.99. Really worth the price and now I know I can pick one up when I visit my son. Fills out the low end of my bourbons with 101 at $20, EWSB at $25, Rare Breed at $35, ECBP at $42. I’ve found the 75/13/12 mash bill is the one for my palate, so I’m set.
That’s a crazy good price. Cheers Robert!
Hey Josh,
I have been on a big Bonded kick lately, This is a great pour at a very good price. I have been impressed with EW so far.
It is quite tasty with lots of vanilla and a pleasant spice kick that makes it really interesting.
It is much sweeter on the finish that Beam or OGD BIB, almost buttery.
For me, I will be keeping this on my shelf with the 1783 Small Batch.
Cheers!
Cheers!
Great call on this one, Josh. $13.99 for 750 mL here in VA. Perfect for sipping neat, or in an Old Fashioned or Whiskey Sour, it’s quickly become our bourbon of choice at home. An incredible value!
Cheers,
Pete
Darn hard to beat at that price for sure. Cheers Pete!
Josh: This is my big brother bourbon. I tried it neat, being cautious and such post other bourbon experiences I usually had it on the rocks (lotsarox).
I feel now that is a crime against this bottle. Especially given it’s retail price. ($14.00+taxTotalWineVancUSA). It’s one of the sneaker whiskies that’s lurking around this world. Cheap and good. I consistently have this in stock. It’s all that’s needed in a bourbon.
Now if I could find an equivalent single malt scotch or Irish!
No kidding on the Scotch or Irish, cheers!
After reading your review, along with all the comments, I’m going to pick up a bottle today for my first Mint Julep. The KY Derby is tomorrow, so it’s only fitting. As for the race, I’m going with McCracken. Hopefully he’ll run well so the rest of the posters on here won’t laugh at my pick…lol
Good luck Kelly!
I just found this stuff in Maryland when I was passing through, and quickly grabbed a 1.75 liter for $27, which prices it at under $12 per fifth. What a value! It’s so much better than the black label, which though pleasant just withers in a cocktail. The BiB makes a terrific Old Fashioned. Great vanilla and woody taste, and a very pleasant spicy character. It doesn’t have quite the bite, or as long a finish as Wild Turkey 101, but it packs a lot of great flavor. I can see this one becoming a very affordable daily drinker.
Thanks for sharing Chuck. Cheers!
Have you noticed a slight label change for the BiB? In my area ( deep south ) it now has gold lettering and more explanation along with “Single Distillery” slapped on the front. i hope this is not a sign they are going to up the price, as is becoming custom when companies start throwing words like “Single” around. Love this bourbon though.
Oh interesting. I haven’t seen that label here yet, but I’ll keep an eye open.
This is a keeper. I grabbed a 1.75 for $22.50 last Friday.
That’s a killer price. Cheers!
This is smooth stuff. Really smooth. It has some. It’s but goes down easy. It made an impression on me. But I must say the dominant flavor I get is a nutty one. Can’t say for sure it’s peanuts, but definitely very nutty. Not a bad thing, just different and interesting. For the price, this is excellent bourbon.
I just can’t find any love for EWBIB except as a mixer. I think the base mashbill is great since I do really like the older versions of this found in EWSB, Henry McKenna BIB and EC12. However, I think the age in oak that these others receive gives the flavors and smoothness that I look for in a good sipping whiskey. EWBIB is just too harsh and young for my tastes compared to the others, but it’s obviously a whole lot cheaper, so for a mixer you can’t go wrong with it.
Surprise Surprise on me as a Buffalo Trace guy I decided to put Heaven Hill products to the Palate so I bought Single Barrel,BIB,Regular and 1783 and did a very fair tasting over a week and I must say I am so amazed at the spice and flavor
of these inexpensive products.My favorite is Single barrel because it has more spice however I would put the BIB up against E H Taylor any day so there you go I am now a true Evan Williams fan truly excellent Bourbons
Thanks for sharing. Cheers!
Great stuff. I found it locally for $21/1.75 Liter (you read that right) and it has replaced OGD Bonded as my bar Bourbon as a result. OGD Bonded in the same store is $18/750 ml bottle, so I’m getting over twice as much of a great Bourbon for $3 more.
Holy cow that’s a killer deal! Cheers!
I just bought my first bottle of Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond. I think it is an excellent value. I have to say, however, that I prefer Old Grand-Dad Bonded. I drink bourbon neat and in my opinion OGD has more flavor. I like a spicy whisky and OGD’s mash bill has 27% rye. The result is a much more flavorful whisky that is extremely easy to drink. Just my opinion…
I agree it’s definitely spicier. I like them both, but if I had to choose between them I’d pick OGD BiB 4/5.
Josh,
I’ve been reading your blog for a little over a year now and really enjoy the reviews. EWBIB has emerged to be my favorite all-around bourbon, but I was curious about variation between bottles/batches. The first 2 bottles I had seemed identical, but I just cracked open a handle and it seems to have less of the warm honey/vanilla/caramelly goodness I remembered and tastes a little thinner somehow. I know BIB means that all the bourbon has to be from the same year, so could this just be a different year?
All the best and thanks for the reviews!
Cheers Jim. You’re exactly correct. Because BiB products are a result of a single distilling season (year) they are more subject to change than other whiskey that might be a blend of different years. This does mean there will be more variation in the BiB products than the rest.
Thanks for the reviews. They led me to give this bourbon a try. Good stuff. Don’t be mislead by the low price, this is a great whiskey to keep on hand. Good enough to drink neat.
Good bourbon for the price.. just getting back after a long hiatus. .good bargain. ..will keep a bottle around
The review is spot on. This is modestly priced good bourbon. Since Heaven Hill has downgraded EC, I hope this remains bonded!
Thanks man, you and I both hope it does!
just had a taste, EWbib does not have the peppery burn on the tongue i get from EW black. any suggestions on what to try next? so far i have tried EWblack, EWbib, Old granddad bib, larceny, knob creek, elijah craig 12yo, EW 1783, henry mckenna 10yo bib, and rebel yell.
scott
If you haven’t tried anything from Maker’s Mark it sounds like you might like that.
Wild Turkey 101.
In my continued sampling of bourbon less than $20 this was next on the list. Very smooth on the tongue, almost sweet, fruity. mild burn on swallow just to remind you that it is 100 proof. no raw ethanol taste or smell either, which i sense from some other whiskey. will do a blind taste test tonight with friends. EWbib, old grand dad bib, and Larceny. will post the results.
I never gave this one a second look since I’m not a fan of the Black Label EW, but after seeing so many positive reviews I gave it a shot and man am I glad I did. This is now my go to $15 pour. I try to keep my cabinet stocked with at least one $10-$20 bottle, one $20-$30 bottle and one $30 plus bottle. This one is $15 in my state and often on sale for as low as $12. I can drink this one neat or with ice and it is now my standard cocktail bourbon. It really stands up to bitters, vermouth, cola etc. This is the best value in bourbon IMHO.
I went looking for a decent inexpensive bourbon and noticed the EW BiB at a local liquor shop. I remembered your review of it and decided to pull the trigger. Extremely please with my purchase which is a good thing as I bought a handle of it. Couldn’t pass it up for $25!
Holy crap, a handle for $25?!? Yeah man I couldn’t pass that up either. Cheers!
$16 with tax $31 with tax for the 1.75 liter bottle @ The Total Wine in Maryland.I get this when the Henry Mckenna isn’t available:)
Just picked up a bottle here in Philly, on sale for $13.99, and I’m tasting it now. Sometimes life is very good! I love your reviews, especially when you get into the “bargain” wonders like this one.
Oh man that’s a bargain and a half! I try to cover as many of these as I can. Definitely plan on doing more this year.
Cheers!
Sitting at home, watching it snow, and trying this absolutely fantastic bourbon that I picked up after reading your review. It’s an AMAZING value. Thanks!!!
Awesome man, so glad you’re enjoying it. Cheers!
I tried this at your recommendation and damn, this is a sweet bourbon! I don’t mean that in a bad way at all, but there is this whole syrupy character that a few drops of water doesn’t diminish at all. I like it a lot and I think this will be a staple of my shelf–for mixing, for having neat, whatever the occasion.
Sláinte and thanks again for another tip I might not have had otherwise.
It was a relatively new find for me as well. Cheers man!
Grabbed a bottle based on your review and my experience with EW’s single barrell releases. What a great bourbon for under $20. Creamy, easy to drink with a very warm and comforting finish. Thanks for pointing me in the direction of this quality whiskey.
Anytime Brett :)
Cheers!
To me this bourbon has a distinctive grassy flavor. I don’t notice this with Heaven Hill 6 year bonded, which I have read is basically the same whiskey just aged in different barrels and different warehouses. Have you ever compared the two? And is this similar to Willett’s Old Bardstown bourbon?
It has a sort of leaves cleaned out from my gutters aftertaste. Suprisingly hard to get down, never had an aftertaste like this before in a bourbon. Makes me wonder if I got a bad batch after you and so many others gave it solid reviews.
I haven’t had the HH BiB 6 yr. It’s not available in L.A., but next time I’m back East / in the South where I can find it I’m definitely interested in trying and comparing.
Cheers!
I thought I was a little crazy when I thought it had a slight “vegetal” twinge on the finish. Not herbal. Not cooked veggies. But a green quality that I neither liked nor disliked. Literally the last “note” of the finish was a green note that I haven’t experienced in other bourbons. Regardless, at $13.99 locally, it’s a wonderful value!
Like the review. In the Great Commonwealth of Virginia, I have seen the emergence of many new “bourbons” produced by who knows who – a purist can let us all know – and priced anywhere from $45 to $60. I have since begun to question the situation, as the “emperor’s cloths” problem. So, I have to confess after this review, I went looking for the bottom shelf bottle, and liked it a lot. This is one example of many actually out there, that people should consider in order to challenge the new production and pricing policy that is becoming the norm.
Thank you, glad you like it. It’s always nice to find a good value, especially today.
Amen:)