Evan Williams 1783 Bourbon 750ML

Evan Williams 1783 Bourbon 750ML is a small batch Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 45% ABV (90 proof) in a 750ml bottle. Drawing from fewer than 200 barrels aged six to eight years, this expression earned a Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and another Gold at the World Whiskies Awards — serious hardware for a bourbon at this price tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 45% (90 Proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, United States  |  Aged 6-8 Years  |  Distillery: Heaven Hill

Production & Heritage

Heaven Hill Distillery, based in Bardstown, Kentucky, ranks among the largest bourbon producers in the world and has been family-owned since its founding in 1935. The 1783 expression uses Heaven Hill's traditional sour mash process with a mashbill of 78% corn, 12% malted barley, and 10% rye — a grain recipe that leans into sweetness while the rye provides enough backbone to keep things interesting. What distinguishes 1783 from the standard Evan Williams Black Label is its small batch selection: each release is pulled from fewer than 200 barrels that have aged between six and eight years, giving the distillery's blenders a tighter window of flavor to work within. The "1783" name references the year Evan Williams reportedly began distilling along the banks of the Ohio River in Louisville.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with oaky vanilla and sautéed butter before giving way to sweet corn and caramel. Deeper sniffs reveal nutty undertones, a faint floral quality, and a cherry-lollipop brightness that nods to the rye in the mashbill.

Taste: On entry the palate reads semi-sweet, with honeyed oak taking center stage. The mid-palate introduces cinnamon spice and black pepper that build steadily, while cherry and vanilla-caramel notes layer underneath. At 90 proof, there is enough heat to carry the flavors without overwhelming them.

Finish: The finish is lean and off-dry, tapering with lingering oak tannins and a subtle sweetness. It lands clean rather than drawn-out, leaving a quiet warmth and a trace of baking spice.

How to Drink Evan Williams 1783

Neat or with a single ice cube is the most rewarding way to experience the extra aging. The 90-proof strength holds up well to dilution, so a splash of water can open the caramel and floral notes further. In cocktails, the 1783 earns its keep in several classics: an Old Fashioned, where the honeyed oak and cinnamon spice marry naturally with bitters and sugar; a Bourbon Smash, where the cherry and vanilla character pairs with fresh lemon and mint; and a Whiskey Sour, where the lean, off-dry finish prevents the drink from becoming cloying.

Best For

• Stocking a home bar with a versatile, overperforming bourbon
• Introducing a friend to small batch bourbon without a steep investment
• Hosting an Old Fashioned night where quality matters more than label cachet
• Side-by-side tastings comparing small batch Kentucky bourbons

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Evan Williams 1783 taste like? Evan Williams 1783 delivers a semi-sweet, honeyed oak profile with layers of cinnamon spice, black pepper, and cherry, supported by vanilla and caramel. The finish is lean and off-dry with lingering baking spice warmth.

How does Evan Williams 1783 compare to Wild Turkey 101? Both are Kentucky bourbons at or near 100 proof, but Wild Turkey 101 uses a higher-rye mashbill that produces a spicier, bolder character, while the 1783 leans sweeter with more prominent oak and caramel from its six-to-eight-year aging. The 1783's small batch selection also creates a more refined, less grain-forward profile than Wild Turkey 101's larger-batch approach.

Is Evan Williams 1783 good for sipping neat? Yes — the extra years of aging and small batch blending give it enough complexity and balance to reward neat drinking, particularly for those who enjoy oak-forward, semi-sweet bourbons at 90 proof.

Where is Evan Williams 1783 made? Evan Williams 1783 is produced at Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, one of the largest family-owned bourbon producers in the United States. Heaven Hill has been distilling in Kentucky since 1935.

What foods pair well with Evan Williams 1783? Smoked pork ribs complement the bourbon's oak and caramel sweetness. Sharp cheddar cheese highlights the spice and vanilla. Pecan pie echoes the nutty, honeyed character. Dark chocolate with at least 70% cacao brings out the cherry notes. Cornbread with butter mirrors the sweet corn on the nose.

What sizes does Evan Williams 1783 come in? Evan Williams 1783 is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle, with 1.75L handles also commonly found at retail.

Is Evan Williams 1783 worth the price? Evan Williams 1783 positions as a value-tier small batch bourbon that routinely outperforms expectations — Gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and World Whiskies Awards confirm that the liquid inside punches above its price class.

Why Evan Williams 1783?

The case for the 1783 starts with what is inside the bottle: bourbon aged six to eight years and selected from fewer than 200 barrels, a level of curation uncommon at this price point. Those extra years in charred oak deliver a depth — richer caramel, more integrated spice, smoother tannins — that the standard Evan Williams lineup does not reach. Gold medals from both the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the World Whiskies Awards back up what the palate already suggests: this is a small batch bourbon that competes credibly with bottles costing significantly more. For drinkers who value substance over hype, the 1783 is one of Kentucky's most reliable over-deliverers.