Evan Williams Single Barrel America 250th Commemorative Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 750ml

Evan Williams Single Barrel America 250th Commemorative Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a 117.76 proof (58.88% ABV) limited-release allocation launched in May 2026 by Heaven Hill Distillery. Officially licensed by the America250 Commission to celebrate the United States' historic Semiquincentennial milestone, this once-in-a-generation expression honors the namesake pioneer who established Kentucky's first commercial distillery back in 1783. Rather than adhering to the brand's traditional 86.6 proof format, this high-test, vintage-dated bourbon remains entirely uncut and unblended to showcase the maximum flavor potential of a single, hand-picked cask.

The entire identity and conceptual framework of this bottle rely on a series of historic numbers that dictate its structural composition. To celebrate the nation's 250th birthday, the Master Distiller set aside a microscopic pool of exactly 250 exceptional single barrels that had matured for approximately seven years in the upper tiers of Heaven Hill’s traditional wood rickhouses. In a brilliant symbolic gesture to the year of American independence, the whiskey is bottled at a non-standard 117.76 proof. This elevated strength ensures that the liquid retains its native wood oils and barrel characteristics, resulting in a significantly heavier body and longer finish than a standard single barrel expression.

The flavor development was managed to honor old-school Kentucky craftsmanship while prioritizing thick, dessert-like complexity over sharp alcohol heat. Utilizing the distillery's celebrated traditional bourbon mash bill—consisting of 78% corn, 12% malted barley, and 10% rye—the liquid relies on the barrel's deep char to smooth out the grain. The blending and selection team sought to present an advanced, high-proof variant of a beloved staple that punches well above its accessible price point. By bypassing major filtration and water dilution, the final spirit delivers a robust, complex web of rich barrel sugars, dense spices, and leather notes that carry the 58.88% ABV with immaculate grace.

The bourbon’s patriotic tasting experience opens on a classic, highly expressive nose characterized by deep oak char, rich vanilla bean, warm caramel, and a distinctive hint of peanut brittle layered over boozy dark cherry and tobacco. The palate carries a thick, viscous mouthfeel that coats the tongue with brown sugar sweetness, dark caramel, and a sophisticated touch of leather, which gradually gives way to a warming cinnamon honey bite. It concludes on an exceptionally long, warm finish where the bold proof manifests as a satisfying "Kentucky Hug," leaving behind lingering traces of rye spice, oak tannins, and a final, fleeting whisper of sweet apple.

For high-end whiskey collectors and history enthusiasts, this America 250th Single Barrel edition is a highly sought-after, time-sensitive trophy bottle. Each 750ml vessel is individually hand-numbered with its specific distillation and bottling dates, hand-dipped in an exclusive patriotic blue wax seal, and decorated with a custom label depicting the Statue of Liberty. It sits as a crowning collectible achievement within the Evan Williams modern lineup, tracking far beyond their everyday Black Label or 1783 Small Batch commemorative iterations as a true, museum-grade keepsake of American distilling history.

• Size: 750ml
• Proof: 117.76 Proof (58.88% ABV) - A symbolic reference to 1776
• Age: NAS (Approximately 7 years old; individually vintage-dated)
• Origin: Bardstown, Kentucky, USA
• Distillery: Heaven Hill Distillery
• Whiskey Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Single Barrel, Unblended)
• Cask/Cooperage: Fire-charred New White American Oak Barrels
• Bottling: Released May 2026; limited run drawn from exactly 250 selected barrels
• Series: Officially Licensed America250 Commemorative Series
• Selection: Hand-selected by Heaven Hill Master Distillers; features custom blue wax and Statue of Liberty artwork
• Tasting Notes: Nose: Deep oak char, rich vanilla, warm caramel, peanut brittle, tobacco, and boozy dark cherry. Palate: Thick dark caramel, brown sugar, rich leather, toasted oak, and a sharp cinnamon honey bite. Finish: Long, warm, and spicy with lingering rye pepper, oak tannins, and a hint of sweet apple.