Evan Williams Single Barrel 2005 (43.3%): Well, Labor Day Weekend and the second review of the month. I should definitely continue the National Bourbon Heritage Month theme. This is one of my favorite yearly releases in the whisky scene but I have to admit that I am pretty late this year. 2006 vintage is about to hit the shelves in about two months. The whisky in this bottle of Evan Williams Single Barrel Single Barrel 2005 vintage is put in cask carrying the number tag 410 on March 29th, 2015 and bottled on February 10th, 2015. It is almost ten years old and bottled at 86.6 proof. Color: Medium amber, Armagnac. Nose: Hold your horses here: I was getting ready for spicy and dry aromas but instead a juicy fruit bowl hit my nostrils... Yellow grapefruit, clementines and fresh grapes. Very refreshing compared to earlier vintages. Mexican flan, vanilla, custard and light honey. Freshly squeezed lemon juice and green cardamom seeds. Palate: Thin but pleasing texture. Light cinnamon dusting, touch of nutmeg and orange blossom honey. Toasted wood, pine cones, white grape juice and sea salt. Finish: Long. But mostly at the tip and sides of the tongue instead of at the back. Gently fuzzy with touch of black pepper, burnt firewood and more grape juice. Overall: Well, that was a nice surprise... Way more gentle and easy drinking than the other releases I had before. I know every barrel is different but this year I picked up a less active cask I believe. Less rye more corn influence. I am sure this bottle will drain in this household very quick. Again, one of the best price/value bourbons in the market. It is definitely a steal and something to look forward to every year. Oh, I didn't even add any water. Just perfect as it is...
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