Sweet oak | Barrel char | Cherry cobbler | Dark brown sugar | Baking spices

Dark caramel | Vanilla | Toasted cinnamon | Sweet oak | Brown sugar

Dry aged oak | Barrel char | Molasses | Dark chocolate | Gentle rye spice | Lingering oak tannins

Evan Williams 12 Year isn’t well known, primarily because it was once an overseas-only product that eventually was made available at Evan Williams Bourbon Experience in Louisville, Kentucky. Sporting a no-frills, throwback style red label and a screwcap covered in wax, the bottle won’t win any design contests, but doing so would miss the point of this bourbon altogether.

Since we last reviewed the bourbon in 2021, its price has risen $20 to $150. While its price tag may catch some off guard, Evan Williams 12 Year has become known as somewhat of a hidden gem, and it all comes down to taste. It’s an unapologetic, old-school style bourbon through and through. Adorned with classic bourbon notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak at its core, it accents this not with flashy, unique flavors, but with notes that any bourbon drinker will be instantly familiar with. They’re classic for a reason, as cinnamon, brown sugar, molasses, dark chocolate, and baking spices are all instantly complementary to the bourbon’s core flavors of caramel, vanilla, and oak.

In a world with endless barrel-finished bourbons and new gimmicks, a classic style bourbon can be surprisingly refreshing. There isn’t one aspect of its sip that will stand out over the others, but taken as a whole, it delivers a well-rounded sip throughout its stay. Though the price remains high and availability is tied to the company’s Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, it gives those who take a trip to Louisville something special to take home with them.