Early Times Kentucky Whiskey 200ML

Early Times Kentucky Whiskey 200ML is a Kentucky whiskey bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) in a convenient 200ml format. This expression earned a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and a Gold at the International Spirits Challenge, establishing solid credentials in the value whiskey category.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40% (80 Proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  Aged Minimum 3 Years  |  Distillery: Sazerac Company (formerly Brown-Forman)

Production & Heritage

Early Times traces its roots to 1860, making it one of Kentucky's oldest whiskey brands. The label was produced by Brown-Forman for decades before Sazerac Company acquired the brand in mid-2020. The whiskey is double distilled from a mashbill of 79% corn, 11% rye, and 10% malted barley, then aged for a minimum of three years in heat-cycled warehouses. What truly distinguishes Early Times from its peers is its use of both new charred oak barrels and previously used oak barrels — a blending practice that disqualifies it from the "bourbon" designation under U.S. regulations, even though it qualifies as bourbon in export markets. The original distillery operation famously owned its own cooperage and made its own barrels, giving it direct control over how the wood influenced the final spirit.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Soft, sweet corn leads the nose, followed by brown sugar, delicate oak, and gentle vanilla. There is a faint bready, biscuity quality underneath that rounds out the bouquet.

Taste: The palate opens with pronounced corn sweetness that carries through to the mid-palate, where brown sugar and soft vanilla emerge. Traces of herbal spice, light cinnamon, and a subtle peanut note add modest complexity. A whisper of cocoa appears toward the peak.

Finish: The finish is soft and warm, fading relatively quickly. It leaves behind a lingering sweet corn note with a touch of caramel and light oak.

How to Drink Early Times

At 80 proof with a gentle profile, Early Times drinks easily on the rocks or with a splash of water, though the lighter body means it truly shines as a cocktail base. A Whiskey Sour benefits from the corn sweetness balancing citrus acidity. A Highball with ginger ale or club soda lets the brown sugar and vanilla notes stretch into a refreshing long drink. An Old Fashioned works well here — the soft oak and caramel respond to bitters and a sugar cube without requiring a higher-proof spirit to punch through.

Best For

• Stocking a home bar with a reliable, affordable mixing whiskey
• Travel-friendly 200ml format for road trips, camping, or hotel rooms
• Introducing someone to American whiskey without overwhelming the palate
• Sampling before committing to a full-sized bottle

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Early Times taste like? Early Times delivers a corn-forward sweetness with brown sugar, soft vanilla, and delicate oak, finishing warm and brief with a caramel-tinged corn note. It is a straightforward, approachable whiskey without aggressive spice or heavy barrel char.

How does Early Times compare to Evan Williams Black Label? Both sit in the value tier of Kentucky whiskey, but Evan Williams Black Label is a straight bourbon aged at least four years in new charred oak, giving it a slightly deeper barrel character and spicier profile. Early Times, by contrast, blends whiskey from new and used barrels, resulting in a softer, sweeter, and lighter-bodied pour.

Is Early Times good for cocktails? Early Times is widely regarded as one of the better budget mixers in its category, with its sweet corn backbone and mild oak playing well in classics like the Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour, and Highball without dominating other ingredients.

Where is Early Times made? Early Times is produced in Kentucky by Sazerac Company, which acquired the brand from Brown-Forman in mid-2020. The whiskey was historically distilled at the Early Times Distillery in the Shively neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky.

What foods pair well with Early Times? Smoked pulled pork works well, as the corn sweetness complements smoky barbecue sauce. Cornbread echoes the grain-forward character of the whiskey. Apple pie or baked apples pair naturally with the vanilla and brown sugar notes. Mild cheddar cheese creates a simple contrast to the caramel finish. Roasted peanuts highlight the subtle nutty undertone found on the palate.

What sizes does Early Times come in? Early Times Kentucky Whiskey is available in several sizes, including the 200ml bottle reviewed here, as well as standard 750ml, 1L, and 1.75L formats.

Is Early Times worth the price? Early Times positions firmly as an entry-level Kentucky whiskey, and within that value tier it delivers respectable quality — particularly as a cocktail ingredient. Its Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition suggests it punches above its price class in competitive blind tastings.

Why Early Times?

The dual-barrel aging process — blending whiskey from new charred oak and used oak — is genuinely unusual in the American whiskey landscape and gives Early Times a softer, less tannic profile than most bourbons at a similar price. That distinction, combined with Double Gold recognition at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Gold at the International Spirits Challenge, signals a whiskey that over-delivers for its tier. The 200ml format makes it one of the more practical options for travelers or anyone looking to test-drive a whiskey without a full bottle commitment. For a no-frills Kentucky whiskey built on 79% corn with three years of barrel age, Early Times remains a dependable standard-bearer in the value category.