Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch

Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch is a Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 45% ABV (90 proof). The name refers to 1783, the year the Evan Williams brand traces its origins to. The bourbon is blended from a selection of barrels rather than bottled from a single cask. That puts it in the moderately proofed middle of the bourbon range, strong enough to hold its shape in a cocktail and mild enough to sip without much heat. Because the store's reference copy gives no mash bill, age statement or official tasting notes, the profile below describes what bourbons of this type usually offer, not a measured analysis of this bottle. Expect the usual bourbon framework: a corn-forward sweetness with caramel and vanilla from new charred oak, a little baking spice, and a toasted-wood finish. Small-batch bourbons at this proof tend to taste rounded and easy to approach. The oak and sweetness should lead, with spice staying in the background instead of the sharp rye bite you would find in a high-rye mash. For neat pours, a Glencairn glass is the best choice. Its tulip shape concentrates the aromas of oak, vanilla and caramel, so you can nose it before the first sip. A small splash of room-temperature water, a few drops at a time, can loosen the aromatics and soften any alcohol edge at 45%. If you prefer a rocks glass, use one large cube. It chills the bourbon slowly with little dilution, which suits a sweet, oak-driven spirit. Crushed or small cubes will water it down quickly. The proof and the corn-and-oak sweetness make this a good everyday mixing bourbon. In an Old Fashioned, a sugar cube or bit of simple syrup, two dashes of Angostura bitters and an orange peel let the caramel and vanilla come through. In a Manhattan, it works with sweet vermouth and bitters, giving a rounder, softer drink than rye does. A Whiskey Sour with fresh lemon juice and a touch of simple syrup shows how well bourbon's sweetness balances citrus. For a highball, pour over ice and top with ginger beer or soda water for something longer and lighter. Good food partners include barbecue, smoked meats, aged cheddar and desserts built on caramel or pecans.