In this engaging three-part comparison series, I embark on a journey to dissect two iconic American whiskey giants: Evan Williams vs Jack Daniel’s whiskey.
My exploration commenced with a clash between Jim Beam and Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7, a showdown that divided our preferences. John leaned towards the robust charms of Jim Beam, while I preferred the smoothness of Jack Daniel’s.
Ultimately, the mellow notes of Jack Daniel’s, characterized by its blend of easy-drinking qualities, sweet vanilla, and toasted oak, clinched victory.
Next, on our tasting odyssey, we ventured into a captivating battle between Evan Williams and Jim Beam bourbon. Choosing a favourite between these two proved to be a more intricate challenge. However, the Jim Beam surged ahead. Its slightly heightened complexity and overall drinkability took centre stage, casting a formidable shadow over Evan Williams.
And now, my voyage through the world of American whiskey brings us to the eagerly anticipated Evan Williams vs Jack Daniel’s showdown. These releases share a similar price range and boast global recognition.
Evan Williams, a distinguished straight bourbon from the Heaven Hill range, traces its origins back to 1783 when Evan Williams commenced bourbon distillation in Kentucky.
Heaven Hill introduced this specific bourbon release to the American market in 1957, and it continues to be distilled at the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville. With an age spanning 5-7 years, Evan Williams’ mash bill comprises 78% corn, 12% malted barley, and 10% rye, retailing for R250 in South Africa.
On the other side of the ring stands Jack Daniel’s, a legendary Tennessee whiskey that began its journey around 1875 thanks to the vision of Jasper Newton ‘Jack’ Daniel. His innovative Lincoln County process, which involves filtration through sugar maple charcoal before maturation, distinguishes this whiskey as a Tennessee classic.
While the distillery remained in Jack’s family until 1956, it subsequently found a new home with Brown-Forman. Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 whiskey features a mash bill of 80% corn, 8% rye, and 12% barley, and after charcoal filtration, the new spirit ages for a minimum of 4 years in new charred American oak barrels.
| Evan Williams Bourbon | Jack Daniel's Old no 7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Bourbon Whiskey | Tennessee Whiskey |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 12% malted barley and 10% rye | 80% corn, 12% barley, and 8% rye |
| ABV | 43% | 43% |
| Colour | Dark reddish gold | Light amber |
| Nose | While it has the traditional bourbon notes of toasty oak and vanilla on the nose, there is an element of corn syrup floating around. The nose is very one-dimensional and not layered or complex. | Quite sweet with honey, vanilla and toasted oak with a hint of smoke. Dried red fruit and marzipan. |
| Palate | It offers little complexity. Toasty oak, vanilla and bits of spice. All kinds of rough edges and alcohol notes. It has a light body and mouthfeel. Adding water does little to increase the complexity. It unlocks notes of chilli and bitter orange peel. | Oak and butterscotch sweetness. A hint of sour cherries and cereal. Bits of fruit and loads of vanilla. It is quite an oily whiskey and has a medium body. |
| Finish | A bit rough and fortunately does not linger too long. | Medium length with some toasty oak, butterscotch and spice. |
| My Rating | Good | Very Good |
| Price | $12 | $27 |
To maintain objectivity, we conducted a blind tasting, ensuring our personal biases would not influence the evaluation. Evan Williams bourbon whiskey has notes of toasted oak, vanilla, orange peel, and corn syrup, accompanied by a discernible alcohol burn. It showcases a straightforward profile but lacks complexity.
On the other side, Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 whiskey offers oak, cherries, and cereal with hints of vanilla. It proves to be a smoother, more easily sippable option, though not exceptionally complex.
Placed side by side, Jack Daniels emerges as the clear standout, boasting a richer sweetness and greater depth on the palate, with cherry and vanilla notes accentuated in comparison to Evan Williams.
Evan Williams embodies the quintessential bourbon character, but I found it one-dimensional with unwelcome raw alcohol notes. Unlike Jack Daniel’s, its sweetness leans towards a corn syrup artificiality. The finish on Evan Williams is notably short and laden with spice.
In contrast, Jack Daniel’s offers an oily, longer finish. In our final verdict, Jack Daniel’s emerges as the more memorable and favoured choice between these two distinguished releases, a testament to its enduring legacy in American whiskey.
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Drives me nuts when someone says they detect marjoram, vanilla and hints of cherry. What BS! It tastes like corn sour mash, with enough alcohol burn to make it worth drinking. Like any American, serve on ice, or toss in a tall glass with your favorite beer added! Nothing better than a boilermaker after a hard day!