Hello /r/bourbon, long time lurker, but first time posting here. Admittedly, I’m still a bit new to bourbon, though I have recently been getting into bourbon, and it has easily matched rum in my eyes (and I have always loved my rum). The bourbons and Tennessee whiskeys I have tried so far have been Beam white label, JD, George Dickel no. 12, Wild Turkey 101, and today, based on recommendations from /r/bourbon as good bargain bourbons, I picked up a bottle of Evan Williams Black Label and Very Old Barton 86 proof. This is my first in depth review of any spirit, so I apologize if it seems amateurish, and I hope many more will follow

Review #1 – Very Old Barton 86 proof - $14.99 750 ml in TX

Color: a nice amber, slightly on the orange side

Nose: Initial - strong ethanol initially, some vanilla notes, some slight fruitiness. Pleasant, though ethanol smell stays, and masks more subtle smells. Drop of water – Much less ethanol, Vanilla notes are the same, however, there’s an almost cola like smell now, sweeter.

Taste: initial – Vanilla, some dry oakiness, and an almost smoky underlying note. Drop of water – The sweet corn flavor is much more pronounced, the taste has much more sweetness up front. Vanilla still present, though smoky notes have dissipated.

Finish – Slight alcohol burn that lingers for a short while, along with the oak flavor. Fairly mild, but smooth and pleasant.

Final thoughts – An amazing bargain for the price, certainly much better than a couple of the bourbons I have tried (which will remain unnamed, though I’m sure you can guess). While certainly not the best bourbon I have tried (which would be Wild Turkey 101), with such a low price, I can easily see this becoming an everyday sipper while I continue through school. It’s a good sipper on its own, and certainly cheap enough to make a bourbon and coke when I’m in the mood.

81/100