Evan Williams 1783 Bourbon 1.75L

Evan Williams 1783 Bourbon 1.75L is a small batch Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV) in a generous 1.75-liter format. A Gold medal winner at both the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the World Whiskies Awards, this expression draws from aged stock that punches well above its price tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 45% (90 Proof)  |  Origin: Louisville, Kentucky, USA  |  Small Batch, aged 6–8 years  |  Distillery: Heaven Hill

Production & Heritage

Heaven Hill Distilleries, founded in 1935 and now the largest independent, family-owned spirits producer in the United States, distills this bourbon at its Louisville, Kentucky facility. Evan Williams 1783 uses a traditional sour mash process with a mashbill of 78% corn, 12% malted barley, and 10% rye. What distinguishes 1783 from the standard Evan Williams Black Label is its small batch composition — each release is pulled from fewer than 200 barrels aged between six and eight years, and the proof was returned to its original 90 (up from a previous 86 proof), giving the whiskey noticeably more body and structure.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Oaky vanilla leads, followed by sautéed butter and buttered toast. Deeper investigation reveals cinnamon sugar, a slight fennel note, subtle cigar-shop warmth, and a floral vanilla undercurrent tied together by woody, peanut-butter-cookie overtones.

Taste: The entry is semi-sweet with honey and caramel arriving quickly on the front palate. Mid-palate brings brown butter and light oak, with a surprisingly supple texture that feels richer than the age statement might suggest. A tangible drying sensation develops on the back palate, revealing a nutty wood backbone that anchors the sweetness.

Finish: Lean and off-dry, with lingering oak tannins and a restrained honeyed warmth. The finish is clean rather than sprawling, making it easy to return to the glass without palate fatigue.

How to Drink Evan Williams 1783

At 90 proof, 1783 has enough structure to drink neat or with a single large ice cube, which opens up the buttery vanilla notes without drowning the oak. It also stands up remarkably well in cocktails:

• Old Fashioned — The honey and brown butter profile melds seamlessly with bitters and a sugar cube, creating a balanced classic.
• Bourbon Smash — Fresh lemon and mint amplify the lighter floral and sweet corn qualities hiding in the nose.
• Whiskey Sour — The semi-sweet, oaky character holds its ground against citrus without requiring an overly heavy pour.

Best For

• Stocking a home bar with a versatile, batch-selected bourbon at high value
• Hosting bourbon-focused cocktail nights where volume matters
• Introducing someone to small batch bourbon without a steep investment
• Side-by-side tastings comparing small batch expressions under ten years old

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Evan Williams 1783 taste like? It delivers a semi-sweet, honeyed profile with brown butter and caramel up front, followed by oaky tannins and a nutty wood backbone that keeps the sweetness in check.

How does Evan Williams 1783 compare to Wild Turkey 101? Both are 101- and 90-proof bourbons, respectively, positioned as affordable daily pours, but Wild Turkey 101 leans spicier due to a higher rye content, while 1783 favors a sweeter, butterier, more oak-forward character from its 6–8 year aged barrels. The 1783's small batch sourcing from fewer than 200 barrels also gives it a more curated profile compared to Wild Turkey 101's larger production runs.

Is Evan Williams 1783 good for sipping neat? Yes — the bump to 90 proof gives it enough weight and complexity for neat sipping, particularly for drinkers who enjoy honeyed, oak-driven bourbons without aggressive heat.

Where is Evan Williams 1783 made? It is distilled and aged by Heaven Hill Distilleries in Louisville, Kentucky, one of America's largest and oldest family-owned distilling operations, founded in 1935.

What foods pair well with Evan Williams 1783? Smoked pork ribs complement the oak and caramel notes; sharp cheddar plays against the honey sweetness; pecan pie echoes the nutty backbone; dark chocolate amplifies the buttery mid-palate; and roasted corn on the cob mirrors the sweet corn in the nose.

What sizes does Evan Williams 1783 come in? Evan Williams 1783 is commonly available in 750ml and 1.75L bottles, with the 1.75L handle offering the best per-pour value for regular drinkers and entertainers.

Is Evan Williams 1783 worth the price? Positioned as an entry-to-mid-level small batch bourbon, 1783 consistently overdelivers for its price tier — the 6–8 year age range and small batch selection from fewer than 200 barrels provide complexity typically found in bottles costing significantly more.

Why Evan Williams 1783?

The defining advantage of 1783 is its small batch discipline: each release draws from fewer than 200 barrels aged six to eight years, a level of selectivity uncommon at this price point. Gold medals at both the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the World Whiskies Awards, along with three Consumers' Choice SIP Awards, confirm that this selectivity translates to the glass. The return to the original 90 proof — after years at a lighter 86 — restored the body and oak intensity that the extra-aged barrels demand. For anyone building a bourbon shelf that balances quality, versatility, and value, 1783 earns serious consideration alongside bottles that cost twice as much.