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Evan Williams Black Label vs Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year
Put Evan Williams Black Label next to Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Evan Williams Black Label | Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 15 years |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 107 proof (53.5% ABV) +21 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$14 – $18 ~$1104 less | ~$240 – $2000 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year 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.
Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Evan Williams Black Label Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 5/8 oak: Evan Williams Black Label 5 out of 10, Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year 8 out of 10
heat 3/6 heat: Evan Williams Black Label 3 out of 10, Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Evan Williams Black Label 6 out of 10, Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year 8 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10
spice 4/3 spice: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year 3 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year: Fifteen-year wheated bourbon from the Van Winkle line, made at Buffalo Trace. Rich toffee, leather and dried fruit with the oak well blended in.
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 Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year if you want a famously hard-to-find, rich, 15-year wheater with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Evan Williams Black Label); neat (Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year).