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Evan Williams Black Label vs Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Evan Williams Black Label and Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus an old-guard, wheat-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Evan Williams Black Label | Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 9 years |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$14 – $18 ~$129 less | ~$110 – $180 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- 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.
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Evan Williams Black Label Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Evan Williams Black Label 6 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10
spice 4/2 spice: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10
oak 5/7 oak: Evan Williams Black Label 5 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: Evan Williams Black Label 3 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- 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.
- Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond: The decanter series, released twice a year at varying ages, and Heaven Hill's most serious wheated statement. Age shows as polished oak and stewed fruit rather than tannin, but you pay handsomely for the bottle.
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 Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond if you want an aged, bonded wheater in a presentation bottle and the price is not the obstacle with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Evan Williams Black Label); neat (Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond).