Evan Williams Cherry 750ML

Evan Williams Cherry 750ML is a cherry-flavored bourbon liqueur bottled at 65 proof (32.5% ABV) that blends Kentucky straight bourbon with natural maraschino cherry flavor. This expression earned a Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, validating its standing as one of the more credible flavored whiskeys on the market — built on a genuine bourbon backbone rather than neutral grain spirit.

Quick Facts: ABV: 32.5% (65 Proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  Cherry-Flavored Bourbon Liqueur  |  Distillery: Heaven Hill Distillers

Production & Heritage

Heaven Hill Distillers, founded in 1935 in Bardstown, Kentucky, is the largest family-owned and operated distillery in the United States. Evan Williams Cherry starts with Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey produced using Heaven Hill's standard mashbill of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley, then infused with natural cherry flavoring. The result occupies a deliberate middle ground between a traditional bourbon and a full liqueur — the base spirit's grain character and barrel influence remain present beneath the cherry sweetness, distinguishing it from artificially flavored competitors that rely on neutral spirits.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Cherry tart and vanilla dominate the nose immediately, followed by a subtle layer of ground almond. A light bourbon warmth carries through underneath, lending the aroma more depth than most flavored spirits deliver.

Taste: The entry is smooth and noticeably buttery, with an oily mouthfeel that coats the palate. Mid-palate brings jammy cherry and ripe plum sweetness, while caramel and vanilla rise as the bourbon base asserts itself. Charred oak and warm allspice emerge toward the peak, grounding the fruit sweetness with barrel-derived complexity.

Finish: Juicy and fruit-forward, with cherry lingering alongside soft baking spices. The finish is moderate in length, clean rather than cloying, and fades with a gentle warmth that recalls the bourbon underneath.

How to Drink Evan Williams Cherry

Served chilled or over ice, the cherry and bourbon flavors balance well without additional sweetener. It also works as a straightforward shot, particularly for those who find full-proof bourbon too intense. Three cocktails worth trying:

• Cherry Old Fashioned: Replaces the sugar cube and bitters in a classic Old Fashioned, since the cherry sweetness is already built in — just add a dash of Angostura and an orange peel.
• Cherry Bourbon Sour: The maraschino cherry profile pairs naturally with fresh lemon juice and egg white for a frothy, fruit-driven sour with real bourbon depth.
• Cherry Cola Highball: A simple two-ingredient serve — the cherry flavor enhances cola's vanilla and caramel notes, creating a more complex long drink than a standard bourbon and cola.

Best For

• Introducing bourbon-curious drinkers to whiskey through an approachable flavor profile
• Stocking a home bar for easy, low-effort cocktail mixing
• Tailgating, cookouts, and casual outdoor gatherings where shots and simple mixed drinks dominate
• Gifting a friend who enjoys flavored spirits but wants something with a real bourbon base

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Evan Williams Cherry taste like? It leads with jammy maraschino cherry and ripe plum sweetness, layered over caramel, vanilla, and a touch of charred oak from its bourbon base. The overall profile is sweet and fruity with enough barrel character to distinguish it from a simple cherry liqueur.

How does Evan Williams Cherry compare to Fireball Cinnamon Whisky? Both are popular flavored whiskey products at a similar price tier, but they deliver completely different experiences — Evan Williams Cherry is fruit-forward and smooth, while Fireball is spicy and cinnamon-driven. Evan Williams Cherry also starts with Kentucky straight bourbon as its base, whereas Fireball is a Canadian whisky-based liqueur.

Is Evan Williams Cherry good for cocktails? Its built-in cherry sweetness and lower proof make it an excellent cocktail ingredient that requires fewer additional components. It works especially well in Cherry Old Fashioneds, bourbon sours, and simple highballs with cola or lemon-lime soda.

Where is Evan Williams Cherry made? It is produced by Heaven Hill Distillers in Kentucky, the largest family-owned American spirits company. Heaven Hill has operated out of Bardstown, Kentucky — widely considered the bourbon capital of the world — since 1935.

What foods pair well with Evan Williams Cherry? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cherry and vanilla notes without overwhelming the palate. Smoked pork ribs with a cherry barbecue glaze mirror the bottle's fruit-and-oak profile. Vanilla bean cheesecake provides a creamy counterpoint to the cherry sweetness. Brie or mild blue cheese offers a savory contrast that highlights the bourbon base. Pecan pie echoes the caramel and nutty almond undertones in the spirit.

What sizes does Evan Williams Cherry come in? The standard bottle is 750ML, though Heaven Hill also produces Evan Williams Cherry in 50ML, 375ML, and 1.75L formats depending on market availability.

Is Evan Williams Cherry worth the price? Evan Williams Cherry positions squarely in the value tier of flavored whiskeys, making it one of the most affordable options that uses actual Kentucky straight bourbon as a base. For its price point, the Gold Medal from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition suggests it punches well above its weight class.

Why Evan Williams Cherry?

What separates this expression from the crowded flavored whiskey shelf is its foundation: genuine Kentucky straight bourbon distilled from a traditional 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley mashbill, not a neutral spirit with artificial flavoring. That bourbon backbone — produced at one of the oldest and most prolific distilleries in American whiskey — gives the cherry flavor something substantial to build on. The Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition confirms that the balance between fruit sweetness and barrel character holds up under critical evaluation. For drinkers who want cherry flavor without sacrificing whiskey credibility, few options at this price deliver as convincingly.