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Evan Williams Black Label vs Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Evan Williams Black Label and Kentucky Owl Batch 12 sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Evan Williams Black Label | Kentucky Owl Batch 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 115.8 proof (57.9% ABV) +30 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$14 – $18 ~$334 less | ~$300 – $400 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Kentucky Owl Batch 12 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.
Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Evan Williams Black Label Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/7 heat: Evan Williams Black Label 3 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10
spice 4/7 spice: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10
oak 5/8 oak: Evan Williams Black Label 5 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 8 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Evan Williams Black Label 6 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 6 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Kentucky Owl Batch 12: A high-end blend of young and older sourced Kentucky bourbons. Leather, smoky oak and caramel, with a peppery, spice-forward palate.
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 Kentucky Owl Batch 12 if you want a spicy, leathery, high-end blended bourbon with significantly more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Evan Williams Black Label); neat (Kentucky Owl Batch 12).