Couldn't help my self, I had to try a nip of this.
Most of you guys have probably tried Evan Williams Black Label 86 proof, and will know what a terrific value it is.
This White Label is the same hooch, just at a higher proof. I'm not yet sure about ages with these, I'll look into it.
I put about two fingers worth in a nosing glass and let it set while I futzed around getting a smoke going. When I got back to I gave it a good sniff or three. At full strength its bouquet gets pretty well obliterated by ethanol. You can discern a certain caramel note backed by a bit of perhaps mint/citrus, but the alcohol dominates completely.
So, as is my want, I plopped a cube in it and waited about 5 minutes. Now, I can discern in the aroma quite a bit more. The sweet note goes from vanilla to burnt sugar, plus theres a real smokyness about it, plus a tart note. As far as taste its very, very similar to the aroma, caramel, smoke, citrus and a bit of bitter mint.
With a bit of water this is surprisingly smooth for a $13 bottle at 100 proof. I'm pretty familiar with the black label and the main differences between it and this: is the amount of smoke in the middle, plus it has a longer finish and a bit more depth all around.
I dunno, if you like the Black, I think you'd really like this. It has a bit more punch at 100 proof, but is just as smooth, which makes me wonder if its not a year or two older. At $13 its a heck of a buy and worthy of being a daily pour, especially if you enjoy the Heaven Hill profile. I'll say this in closing: this is heads and shoulders above either Jim Beam White or Black labels.
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Originally Posted by TEN-32
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