Evan Williams 12 Year 101 Proof Bourbon was known for years as the red labeled Evan Williams export-only bourbon that was sold exclusively in Japan. However, since the opening of the Evan William’s Experience in downtown Louisville in 2013, consumers have been able to purchase Evan Williams 12 Year 101 Proof Bourbon at the distillery. The bourbon has remained a distillery exclusive in the U.S. while still being exported to Japan.

Evan Williams 12 Year Old Red Label 101 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Tasting Notes

Nose: A delicious swirl of classic bourbon scents billows out of the glass. Rich charred oak, vanilla, caramel, and a dab of rye spice mixed with leather lead the pack. Exploring more reveals scents of sweet graham crackers, lightly toasted marshmallows, and brown sugar. This nose will delight your senses and quickly capture the hearts of bourbon purists. It’s an absolutely fantastic way to open the sip, and really makes you excited for what’s to follow.

Palate: The nose predicts nicely what was to come in the sip, with sweet caramel that mixes with a sharp rye spice and aged dry oak being immediately noticeable. These flavors are joined with swirls of vanilla, cinnamon, honey, and rich brown sugar. Individually, the flavors are nothing out of the ordinary, however, taken as a whole they work together in harmony to deliver a really great combination. The only fault comes from the fact that the mouthfeel is slightly on the thinner side.

Finish: A flash of cinnamon spice leads the pack. Sweet oak, vanilla, and white peppercorn appear behind it. A dry leather weaves its way in as its sweeter notes subside. A slow lingering dry spiced heat joins the leather as the two slowly tango and burn out. The finish is the perfect way to end the sip, once again focusing on rich classic bourbon flavors.