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Evan Williams Black Label vs Barrell Foundation Bourbon
Put Evan Williams Black Label next to Barrell Foundation Bourbon and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a blender-built, high-rye bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Evan Williams Black Label | Barrell Foundation Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 73% corn, 23% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 5 years |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$14 – $18 ~$39 less | ~$50 – $60 |
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Evan Williams Black Label
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Barrell Foundation Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Evan Williams Black Label Barrell Foundation Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/6 spice: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Evan Williams Black Label 3 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Evan Williams Black Label 5 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Evan Williams Black Label 6 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Evan Williams Black Label: The everyday black label, and a perfectly competent well bourbon. Softer and sweeter than the bonded version, with less to say but nothing objectionable.
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon: Barrell's everyday bottle: a multi-state blend proofed down to 100 instead of bottled at cask strength. Creamy cake and vanilla up front, then a dry, rye-driven peppery finish.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Evan Williams Black Label if you want a dependable, inexpensive mixing bourbon and nothing more complicated than that at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Barrell Foundation Bourbon if you want an approachable, 100-proof Barrell blend that still shows off multi-state blending with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Evan Williams Black Label); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Barrell Foundation Bourbon).