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Jimmy Buffet Aug 15, 2007 07:14 AM

Evan Williams

I have a friend who swears by Evan Williams whiskey. I have a stock that usually consists of Knob Creek and Maker's Mark but based on my friend's recommendation, would like to try a bottle of Evan Williams.

My pal buys Single Barrel. Comments? Is there a better horse in the Williams stable?

  1. JMF May 12, 2010 11:24 AM

    The regular Evan Williams, at around $12-13 a bottle, has to be the best bang for the buck in Bourbons there is.

    1. d
      davebough Oct 1, 2007 07:05 AM

      How's the experiment going? Give us a report.
      dave

      1. j
        Jimmy Buffet Aug 16, 2007 07:27 AM

        Thanks for the recommendations, chow colleagues. I think this may be a fun quest - I love a good cigar and bourbon and last night I got to thinking that I am going to expand this into trying to find the best tasting bourbon for the bucks. With that in mind, I have had the following suggested to me:

        Old Forester 86 proof
        Old Forester 100 proof
        Old Fitzgerald 1849
        Old Grand-Dad ...
        Jim Beam Black

        and will consider the alternative brands you guys have made as well.

        Again, thanks a million. Any others that I can add to my list would be appreciated.

        12 Replies
        1. re: Jimmy Buffet
          h
          healthyscratch Aug 16, 2007 01:58 PM

          If you already stock Knob Creek, I think you'll have a hard time finding better for the money. It's the Padron 2000 maduro of bourbons, if you know what I'm saying.

          1. re: healthyscratch
            bkhuna Aug 16, 2007 04:51 PM

            Oh, I don't know about that, I was thinking more along the lines of the Hav-a-Tampa.

            1. re: bkhuna
              m
              Mr Lee Ho Aug 16, 2007 07:50 PM

              Don't know if it is considered a "true" bourbon, but Bernheim Wheat is excellent stuff.

              1. re: bkhuna
                h
                healthyscratch Aug 17, 2007 07:14 AM

                Heh.
                Not sure what I'd equate Hav-a-Tampas with in the bourbon world. Maybe Rebel Yell...but I'll drink Rebel Yell.

            2. re: Jimmy Buffet
              inuksuk Aug 16, 2007 07:54 PM

              If you're willing to expand your palate just a smidge, the Jim Beam Rye Whiskey ( http://www.internetwines.com/mb310114... ) would be a bargain at twice the price.

              1. re: inuksuk
                j
                Jimmy Buffet Aug 17, 2007 07:45 PM

                inuksuk I have never tried rye whiskey but a fellow chowhound and good pal - oneweinerhound - and I were just talking the other day about some so that might be on the horizon.

                1. re: Jimmy Buffet
                  JonParker May 12, 2010 10:58 AM

                  Second vote for the Jim Beam Rye. Compare it to the Old Overlholt Rye, which is also very good. Both are very reasonably priced.

              2. re: Jimmy Buffet
                a
                angs9 Aug 17, 2007 01:41 PM

                Here are the "bang for the buck" entries I would vote for:

                Buffalo Trace Straight Bourbon -> $20
                Eagle Rare Single Barrel -> $25
                Old Rip Van Windle 10 Year -> $25.

                A great place to search for spirit reviews is the Beverage Tasting Institute at http://tastings.com. The above were among the well reviewed there that I've tried

                1. re: angs9
                  d
                  davebough Aug 29, 2007 11:41 AM

                  I like expensive bourbons, but think cheap bourbons are underrated. Old Crow says Bourbon to me and at $8.50 a fifth I've enjoyed it with a lot of cigars.
                  dave

                  1. re: davebough
                    j
                    Jimmy Buffet Sep 5, 2007 07:47 PM

                    I bought some Old Forester the other day and a bottle of Old Crow was really trying to catch my eye. Might go back for it.

                    Ditto some Ancient Age. I think I'll see if I can find some minibottles of the stuff before springing for something bigger.

                2. re: Jimmy Buffet
                  h
                  heWho Sep 7, 2007 12:28 PM

                  Evan Williams Singe Barrel is really a great deal for the money. It's one of my favorites in that price range, but for bourbon on the rocks I tend to favor Basil Hayden because I love its sweetness. I'd add that to your tasting list. It's especially good with a sweet flavored cigar.

                  1. re: heWho
                    j
                    Jimmy Buffet Sep 15, 2007 02:54 PM

                    I have heard good things about Basil Hayden. I'll give it a try.

                3. ted Aug 16, 2007 06:21 AM

                  I'lll make yet another strong recommendation for the single barrel.

                  1. d
                    drinkslover Aug 16, 2007 02:36 AM

                    Evan Williams and Elijah Craig are both top quality. EWSB is up there with the best for that sort of money.

                    1. bkhuna Aug 15, 2007 08:24 PM

                      Great stuff at a good price. I'll bet in a blind test, you'd like it better than Maker's Mark.

                      1. m
                        mojoeater Aug 15, 2007 06:17 PM

                        The EW black label definitely gets best in show in the cheaper bourbon category. The single barrel is very, very good.

                        1 Reply
                        1. re: mojoeater
                          r
                          redranger40 May 8, 2010 08:13 AM

                          From what I've seen here in the chgo area though, ewsb is the same price as knob creek, and I loves me some knob creek...can I really put almost $30 in ewsb and enjoy it? Just asking, cause I've never tried it...I found the eagle rare 10 year here for $23.99, and is pretty damn tasty if I say so myself...

                        2. m
                          Mr Lee Ho Aug 15, 2007 05:40 PM

                          EWSB is excellent stuff. I've heard great things about Elijah Craig Single Barrel, but have yet to try it.

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