Evan Williams PET 750ML

Evan Williams PET 750ML is a Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey bottled at 43% ABV (86 proof) in a lightweight plastic bottle format. Produced by Heaven Hill Distillery — the largest family-owned and operated distillery in the United States — Evan Williams holds the distinction of being America's second best-selling bourbon brand, trailing only Jim Beam in volume.

Quick Facts: ABV: 43% (86 Proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  NAS (No Age Statement)  |  Distillery: Heaven Hill

Production & Heritage

Heaven Hill Distillery, founded in 1935 in Bardstown, Kentucky, remains under the ownership of the Shapira family. Evan Williams bourbon is produced using a traditional sour mash process with a mashbill of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley, then aged in new charred American oak barrels. The brand is named after Evan Williams, who is credited as Kentucky's first commercial distiller, establishing a distillery along the banks of the Ohio River in 1783. While the expression once carried a seven-year age statement, it is now released as NAS, though Heaven Hill maintains that it is aged longer than many competing entry-level bourbons.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with brown sugar and caramel, followed by vanilla frosting and a dusting of baking spices. Light oak and a faint hint of cherry round out a straightforward, inviting bouquet.

Taste: On the palate, caramel corn and honey arrive first, giving way to a peppery mid-palate with black tea and baking spice. Soft vanilla cream and a subtle citrus rind note add modest complexity before gentle oak takes hold.

Finish: The finish is medium in length, with lingering warmth from white pepper and a light char note. A trace of butterscotch and dry oak stays on the tongue as it fades.

How to Drink Evan Williams

Evan Williams Black Label performs well on the rocks or with a splash of water, which opens up the caramel and vanilla sweetness. Its 86-proof backbone and clean grain character also make it a reliable mixing bourbon.

• Bourbon Old Fashioned: The caramel-forward profile and moderate proof stand up to bitters and a sugar cube without becoming thin.
• Whiskey Sour: Its vanilla sweetness and peppery edge balance citrus juice and simple syrup effectively.
• Kentucky Mule: The corn sweetness and gentle spice complement ginger beer and fresh lime without overpowering the drink.

Best For

• Stocking a home bar with a dependable everyday bourbon
• Mixing classic bourbon cocktails at house parties or barbecues
• Tailgating or outdoor events where glass bottles are impractical
• Introducing someone to straight bourbon without a steep price commitment

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Evan Williams taste like? Evan Williams delivers a caramel-and-vanilla-forward palate with moderate baking spice, black tea, and a peppery warmth. The overall profile is sweet, approachable, and grain-driven with gentle oak in the background.

How does Evan Williams compare to Jim Beam? Both are high-corn Kentucky straight bourbons in the same value tier, with Evan Williams at 86 proof versus Jim Beam White Label at 80 proof. Evan Williams tends to lean sweeter with more pronounced caramel, while Jim Beam White Label is often described as lighter-bodied with a nuttier grain character.

Is Evan Williams good for cocktails? Evan Williams is widely regarded as one of the best value bourbons for mixing, thanks to its clean caramel sweetness and enough proof to hold its own against strong mixers. It works particularly well in Old Fashioneds, Whiskey Sours, and Mint Juleps.

Where is Evan Williams made? Evan Williams is produced by Heaven Hill Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky, with bottling operations in Bardstown, Kentucky. Heaven Hill has been a family-owned operation since its founding in 1935.

What foods pair well with Evan Williams? Smoked pulled pork complements the bourbon's caramel sweetness and oak char. Sharp cheddar cheese echoes its peppery bite. Pecan pie mirrors the vanilla and brown sugar notes. Grilled corn on the cob highlights the corn-forward mashbill. Dark chocolate with a high cacao content balances the sweetness with bitterness.

What sizes does Evan Williams come in? Evan Williams bourbon is available in a range of sizes including 200ml, 375ml, 750ml, 1L, and 1.75L, with the PET (plastic bottle) format offered primarily in the 750ml size for convenience and portability.

Is Evan Williams worth the price? Evan Williams positions squarely as a value-tier bourbon and is frequently cited by bartenders and bourbon enthusiasts as punching well above its price point. For the quality of liquid relative to the cost, it consistently ranks among the strongest values in American whiskey.

Why Evan Williams?

What separates Evan Williams from most bourbons at this price point is Heaven Hill's scale and barrel inventory — the distillery holds roughly 1.9 million barrels of aging whiskey, giving their blenders enormous flexibility in selecting stock. The 78/10/12 mashbill produces a sweeter, less rye-heavy profile than many competitors, and the decision to bottle at 86 proof rather than the legal minimum gives the bourbon noticeably more body and flavor presence. The PET format adds genuine convenience for outdoor events and venues where glass is restricted, without altering what is inside. As the second best-selling bourbon in the country, Evan Williams has earned its reputation not on marketing alone, but on delivering a reliable, well-made Kentucky straight bourbon at a price that makes it an easy everyday pour.