Evan Williams Distillery, 2000 Single Barrel Vintage

I am most definitely on a Bourbon kick.  These long winter nights make me enjoy the smooth warming drink all the more.  Because of the increased interest folks seem to have these days in brown liquor there is no shortage of new and tasty ones to try in my local shops.  I recently bought a bottle of the Evan Williams Single Barrel from 2000.  They release them every year or so, and I've had the 1997 and 1998.  Both were very good as is the 2000.  It retails for around $30 a bottle, so for a single barrel Bourbon, it's a pretty good deal.


The man, Evan Williams, is credited with the first distillery in what is now Kentucky back in the late 1700's.  He grew corn and discovered that it was much easier to get it to market by turning it into whiskey, not to mention that added benefit of drinking it on the way there.  No one seemed to mind either when he turned up at town hall meetings with his hootch, and it was noted that he seldom left with an empty bottle.  By the sound of things, it's a wonder that Kentucky ever actually became a state!  But I digress...

In any case, the Evan Williams 2000 vintage Bourbon is delicious!  In fact, I'm enjoying a glass right now.  I love the sweet caramel notes that it has.  It's a lot more toasty flavors than a lot of Bourbons I've had and I love the way it goes down without any burn.  I find it's charm not in the complexity of flavors, but in the smooth integration of alcohol that is unparalleled in other Bourbons I've tasted.  I tend to drink this one without any water or ice for that very reason.  It's not understatement to say that you have to be careful when you sit down to an evening of conversation with the stuff. It goes down so smooth and easy that you and your friends might find yourselves at the bottom of the bottle more quickly than you intended.

Another great Bourbon found.  I'm not sure I will get tired of seeking them out any time soon with all of the delicious options available for our greatest American spirit.  Cheers!