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Evan Williams Black Label vs Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
On paper Evan Williams Black Label and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so proof (86 vs. 100) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Evan Williams Black Label | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$14 – $18 | ~$16 – $22 |
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 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.
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Evan Williams Black Label Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/5 heat: Evan Williams Black Label 3 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Evan Williams Black Label 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
oak 5/5 oak: Evan Williams Black Label 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 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.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
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.
- Go with Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Evan Williams Black Label); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond).