Compare
Evan Williams Black Label vs Willett Pot Still Reserve
Comparing Evan Williams Black Label and Willett Pot Still Reserve is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$14 – $18 vs. ~$45 – $60).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Evan Williams Black Label | Willett Pot Still Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 94 proof (47% ABV) +8 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$14 – $18 ~$37 less | ~$45 – $60 |
- Willett Pot Still Reserve 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.
Willett Pot Still Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Evan Williams Black Label Willett Pot Still Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 4/6 fruit: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Evan Williams Black Label 6 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 7 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 5 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Evan Williams Black Label 5 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: Evan Williams Black Label 3 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- 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.
- Willett Pot Still Reserve: Famous first for the pot-still-shaped decanter and second for the whiskey, which is a fair ordering. Pleasant, sweet and fruit-leaning, with a good deal of the price attached to the glass.
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 Willett Pot Still Reserve if you want a distinctive bottle on the shelf and an easy, fruit-forward pour inside it with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Evan Williams Black Label); neat, rocks (Willett Pot Still Reserve).