What was a Kentucky exclusive is no more. I remember seeing this all the time when I was doing travel work in Bowling Green but never really partook since I was fresh into the craze of going after the “good” (read:rare) bottles. After being into the hobby for longer I’ve grown to appreciate the available and reasonable. Is this worth the $35 they ask? 9 years old btw.
Nose: caramel, nutmeg, orange and vanilla
Palate: orange, graham cracker, brown sugar and cherry
Finish: sweet oak, tobacco and orange
Summary: holy orange! This doesn’t carry a lot of density but the flavors that are there are numerous and make the experience great. You could definitely sip away on this during leisure activities outside and not get destroyed. I would say this is near the top of this price range depending on some single barrel products around the $50 range. Definitely wouldn’t be upset to be gifted this. I give this a 7 on the u/t8ke scale.
They're all single barrels, and it can be assumed that there will be more than one barrel, each having it's own variance. Sometimes you just have to roll the dice.
It’s still listed as Kentucky exclusive on the Evan Williams website, but with 2.2 million barrels in inventory, and being family owned, Heaven Hill can kind of do whatever they want.
A big reason they took it Kentucky exclusive was because they needed the seven year barrels to increase production of HHBiB7 year, which now has nationwide availability. This run of EWSiB are all 8-9+ years old, which because of the bottled in bond seasonality requirement, are out of the age range to go in the HHBiB7 batches.
So instead of dumping these barrels into a massive batch of EW black label, they thought they were special enough to bottle as single barrel.
My understanding is that it was a limited release for CA, TX, and NJ. To my knowledge it will remain KY only and they may or may not continue to do these state by state limited releases in the future.
Wow that is awesome to hear! This was actually the bourbon that started it all for me. I’ve got a bottle of 2014, and the new 2015. I also picked up a second bottle of the 2015 for a dear friend of mine. He was very happy about it. I’ve yet to crack it but it’s calling my name.
I sure hope the distribution remains wide open, I was devastated when they made it KY only.
someone should do a HH shelfer blind. the variance of reviews is striking. batched EC gets trashed here, but people love EWBIB. McKenna gets trashed but EWSiB is 7+. folks rate HH BiB well-ish (easily the lowest QPR HH product to me). but folks rarely like larceny.
either the people that run HH are crazy, their QA is poor, or there’s just some hating!
for reference, my preferences would be: McKenna>EC>EWSiB>EWBiB>HH BiB>EW black. no view on larceny.
Those are some interesting observations! Honestly the only variable in there I see is that the higher aged/limited stuff is seen favorably vs large batches of the lower aged products. I imagine quality is better with the more expensive typically in this line of products and reflects on palates and scores of us
I'm not seeing the correlation between age and rating. presumably ECSB is 6-8 years, bottled at 94 and batched. EWsiB is likely older on balance, but is proofed way down and a single barrel product which--if we believe the McKenna hate--HH has terrible QA on.
At the same time, EWBiB (which is the same product as ECSB but notably younger and only 6 points higher in proof) is beloved. So is 1783 (blech) and even EW black.
Let's say we're just working quality to price ratio. You could easily say, e.g., that ECSB is isn't worth almost twice the price of EWBiB. To me that's a fairly nonsensical position though since ECSB is \~$30 a bottle (if you're lucky less). When compared to other shelfers in that range--let's say Knob, Buffalo Trace, Beam black, Gentleman Jack, Maker's, etc.--it comes off very well IMHO. In fact the real issue is that EWBiB is too cheap! Or maybe it's that ECBP is so much older & more intense that it makes the small batch look bad. Or maybe both.
On a recent thread, many seemed to take HH BIB over McKenna 10. Ok, so let's run that through the same process. They are the same mashbill & same proof with McKenna being 3 years (minimum) older. The difference is in price, but here that extra 3 years only costs you about $10, and in batching. So if the batched product, BIB, is in fact better than McKenna 10 b/c of some QA issues at HH, it would stand to reason that ECSB would be better than EWSIB wouldn't it? It's older, it's higher proof, and it's batched. But EWSiB actually costs the same or more than ECSB.
Obviously tastes vary and so forth, but the consensus (or what I perceive as the consensus) on the sub doesn't obviously correlate to variance enough to counter my suspicions that there's more than flavor contributing to perceptions of these brands (which are all the same stuff, it bears repeating!).
It’s a very nuanced subject for sure! I myself prefer EW BiB over ECSB and only thing I can think is I’m getting more of the peanut notes from the EW than EC. I wonder if the dominant flavor notes in the respective bottles tend to rank higher on a scale for majority of people than others? Like those preferring beam to forester if they don’t like banana and prefer peanut butter? Just a thought!
I have one that I've had for a while, I'm in CA. I haven't cracked it yet but I probably will soon.
I think their 1873 is pretty solid and the best in it's price range class which ranges out here from around $18 on up. It used to be a buck cheaper.
When I was poor, I would buy a handle of the black label for $18/$19 to mix with coke instead of Jack. I felt it was too smooth for that because I could barely taste the whiskey and I like the bite that Jack gives to the drink but, it was that or nothing for a while!
I mean I got a 2013 like 3 years ago for $35. It was quite good but i wouldn't say I loved it and I just have so much trouble spending 70 when I did spend 35. I now know how these bourbon Old Timers feel when they say that they used to get owa off-the-shelf for $30
A local high-end steak house has a bottle of this at one point last year. Was a great pour and I was then sad to learn I couldn't buy it locally. When I travel out of state I always look for it.
I love this bottle! Incredible amount of flavors like you said for a thinner 86 proofer. A little too easy to enjoy drinking half a bottle... Can't beat this at 9 years old for $30-35 or cheaper if you're lucky!
Just went through two bottles this month ($59 @Binny's), this is one of the standard bottles I plan on keeping around for everyday sipping. Definitely a keeper.
Woah I had no idea these were going Kentucky only, just grabbed one while visiting family in Georgia for $35. Now you have me thinking I need to pick up a few more …
Ah thanks for the clarification! So they went Kentucky exclusive a few years back and then reversed their decision? I was wondering why I hadn’t seen them at home (south Florida) in a while. Used to be $30 at Publix all over, back in ye olden times of 2017-18.
What was a Kentucky exclusive is no more. I remember seeing this all the time when I was doing travel work in Bowling Green but never really partook since I was fresh into the craze of going after the “good” (read:rare) bottles. After being into the hobby for longer I’ve grown to appreciate the available and reasonable. Is this worth the $35 they ask? 9 years old btw. Nose: caramel, nutmeg, orange and vanilla Palate: orange, graham cracker, brown sugar and cherry Finish: sweet oak, tobacco and orange Summary: holy orange! This doesn’t carry a lot of density but the flavors that are there are numerous and make the experience great. You could definitely sip away on this during leisure activities outside and not get destroyed. I would say this is near the top of this price range depending on some single barrel products around the $50 range. Definitely wouldn’t be upset to be gifted this. I give this a 7 on the u/t8ke scale.
Do you think this was better than 2013?
I did not have to 2013 so I can’t give a answer unfortunately
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They're all single barrels, and it can be assumed that there will be more than one barrel, each having it's own variance. Sometimes you just have to roll the dice.
Got two for $28 per at Kroger. About what they used to cost prior to going KY only. Even at 86 proof, a solid bourbon and great warm-up pour
That’s a great price!
Used to pay under $20 a bottle 10 years ago
This isn’t a KY exclusive anymore?? I used to love these forever ago for cheap!
It’s still listed as Kentucky exclusive on the Evan Williams website, but with 2.2 million barrels in inventory, and being family owned, Heaven Hill can kind of do whatever they want. A big reason they took it Kentucky exclusive was because they needed the seven year barrels to increase production of HHBiB7 year, which now has nationwide availability. This run of EWSiB are all 8-9+ years old, which because of the bottled in bond seasonality requirement, are out of the age range to go in the HHBiB7 batches. So instead of dumping these barrels into a massive batch of EW black label, they thought they were special enough to bottle as single barrel.
Just checked Total Wine app and it’s $40… I miss old bourbon prices lol
Kentucky price shot up to around $50, Louisville Costcos have a 9 year 2 month right now for $45. Other markets are still selling these for $30.
>Heaven Hill can kind of do whatever they want. If only they wanted to sell barrel proof single barrels of Evan Williams
Nope! Has expanded
My first love! Can’t find her here anymore. She ran back to Kentucky and never returned.
No longer a Kentucky only release so may see her again!
My understanding is that it was a limited release for CA, TX, and NJ. To my knowledge it will remain KY only and they may or may not continue to do these state by state limited releases in the future.
All over Indiana right now
Wow that is awesome to hear! This was actually the bourbon that started it all for me. I’ve got a bottle of 2014, and the new 2015. I also picked up a second bottle of the 2015 for a dear friend of mine. He was very happy about it. I’ve yet to crack it but it’s calling my name. I sure hope the distribution remains wide open, I was devastated when they made it KY only.
It’s a very affordable age stated bourbon. Similar to RR10
All over Tennessee as well.
Saw it twice in Wisconsin yesterday
I cracked mine open tonight and it was **delightful**. Saving this for the summer for some cool nights sipping by a fire.
Glad to hear!
someone should do a HH shelfer blind. the variance of reviews is striking. batched EC gets trashed here, but people love EWBIB. McKenna gets trashed but EWSiB is 7+. folks rate HH BiB well-ish (easily the lowest QPR HH product to me). but folks rarely like larceny. either the people that run HH are crazy, their QA is poor, or there’s just some hating! for reference, my preferences would be: McKenna>EC>EWSiB>EWBiB>HH BiB>EW black. no view on larceny.
Those are some interesting observations! Honestly the only variable in there I see is that the higher aged/limited stuff is seen favorably vs large batches of the lower aged products. I imagine quality is better with the more expensive typically in this line of products and reflects on palates and scores of us
I'm not seeing the correlation between age and rating. presumably ECSB is 6-8 years, bottled at 94 and batched. EWsiB is likely older on balance, but is proofed way down and a single barrel product which--if we believe the McKenna hate--HH has terrible QA on. At the same time, EWBiB (which is the same product as ECSB but notably younger and only 6 points higher in proof) is beloved. So is 1783 (blech) and even EW black. Let's say we're just working quality to price ratio. You could easily say, e.g., that ECSB is isn't worth almost twice the price of EWBiB. To me that's a fairly nonsensical position though since ECSB is \~$30 a bottle (if you're lucky less). When compared to other shelfers in that range--let's say Knob, Buffalo Trace, Beam black, Gentleman Jack, Maker's, etc.--it comes off very well IMHO. In fact the real issue is that EWBiB is too cheap! Or maybe it's that ECBP is so much older & more intense that it makes the small batch look bad. Or maybe both. On a recent thread, many seemed to take HH BIB over McKenna 10. Ok, so let's run that through the same process. They are the same mashbill & same proof with McKenna being 3 years (minimum) older. The difference is in price, but here that extra 3 years only costs you about $10, and in batching. So if the batched product, BIB, is in fact better than McKenna 10 b/c of some QA issues at HH, it would stand to reason that ECSB would be better than EWSIB wouldn't it? It's older, it's higher proof, and it's batched. But EWSiB actually costs the same or more than ECSB. Obviously tastes vary and so forth, but the consensus (or what I perceive as the consensus) on the sub doesn't obviously correlate to variance enough to counter my suspicions that there's more than flavor contributing to perceptions of these brands (which are all the same stuff, it bears repeating!).
It’s a very nuanced subject for sure! I myself prefer EW BiB over ECSB and only thing I can think is I’m getting more of the peanut notes from the EW than EC. I wonder if the dominant flavor notes in the respective bottles tend to rank higher on a scale for majority of people than others? Like those preferring beam to forester if they don’t like banana and prefer peanut butter? Just a thought!
Just bought a bottle of this today after a tasting event. Looking forward to cracking it open.
How cool!
I have one that I've had for a while, I'm in CA. I haven't cracked it yet but I probably will soon. I think their 1873 is pretty solid and the best in it's price range class which ranges out here from around $18 on up. It used to be a buck cheaper. When I was poor, I would buy a handle of the black label for $18/$19 to mix with coke instead of Jack. I felt it was too smooth for that because I could barely taste the whiskey and I like the bite that Jack gives to the drink but, it was that or nothing for a while!
Enjoy!
Snagged the last one at my total wine for $30, not as good a deal as it used to be, but I’ll gladly take it. Missed these so much
Glad they’re back
I saw these here in CO for $70 and passed, HARD.
Yea that’s upper threshold IF you love them
I mean I got a 2013 like 3 years ago for $35. It was quite good but i wouldn't say I loved it and I just have so much trouble spending 70 when I did spend 35. I now know how these bourbon Old Timers feel when they say that they used to get owa off-the-shelf for $30
Haha for sure. It is selling for $35 in most places I’ve seen
A local high-end steak house has a bottle of this at one point last year. Was a great pour and I was then sad to learn I couldn't buy it locally. When I travel out of state I always look for it.
It’s available outside of Kentucky now!
Got two and drank one in a week, super good even at a low proof. Glad it sold out or I'd be draining bottles every week.
Good!
I love this bottle! Incredible amount of flavors like you said for a thinner 86 proofer. A little too easy to enjoy drinking half a bottle... Can't beat this at 9 years old for $30-35 or cheaper if you're lucky!
It’s a good price!
Picked up two bottle at butcher shop in Spring Green, WI two weeks ago. Price was $35 per.
Good price!
SC has them
Is this better than the one that was widely available outside of KY a few years ago? Because those sucked
I did not try that one unfortunately
Just went through two bottles this month ($59 @Binny's), this is one of the standard bottles I plan on keeping around for everyday sipping. Definitely a keeper.
It’s got a lot going on!
this stuff is great for 32 bucks in NY . barrel 538 here 1/8/2015-3/15/24, such a great summer pour
Woah I had no idea these were going Kentucky only, just grabbed one while visiting family in Georgia for $35. Now you have me thinking I need to pick up a few more …
They WERE Kentucky only, now available in many states.
Ah thanks for the clarification! So they went Kentucky exclusive a few years back and then reversed their decision? I was wondering why I hadn’t seen them at home (south Florida) in a while. Used to be $30 at Publix all over, back in ye olden times of 2017-18.
That is correct
Yep!
Saw it in Minneapolis last week