Evan Williams 1783

On pouring, this boy is thick in the glass- almost syrupy as it gets a friendly swirl in my fave whisky tumbler. Bright pale honey coloured- like that jar of Gale's Honey in the cupboard.

Nose is light- licoricey and sweet-shop-atmosphere, barely hinting at what is to come.

At first sip, it's a little sharper than I expected but then there are waves and waves of sweetness and creaminess that follow. It's one of the richest bourbons I've tried. Vanilla custard is the theme all the way through this- that floral, heady, vanilla of the proper bean you only get from proper real cream custard. Maybe a little almond-y marzipan shading to licorice flavour high up in the mouth.

Mouthfeel is- as I expected on pouring- thick and coating.

The initial tartness helps balance this- it's that slightly earthy sharpness of a lightly-brewed coffee that adds a pleasing 'darkness' to the flavour balance. Brightness is quite different to the smokiness and woodiness of other things in my cabinet.

The finish is long- a heady, perfume-like honey spiked with more vanilla.

It's a very pleasant after-dinner treat- like pudding in a glass. Lovely.

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