Evan Williams Blackberry Review

What, exactly, is flavored whiskey? According to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (what everyone else calls the TTB), the legal definition is a “whiskey that’s flavored with natural flavoring materials, with or without the addition of sugar, bottled at not less than 30% alcohol by volume.

 

The name of the predominant flavor shall appear as part of the class and type designation, e.g., “Cherry Flavored Whisky.” Wine may be added, but if the addition exceeds 2½% by volume of the finished product, the classes and/or types and percentages (by volume) of wine must be stated as part of the class and type designation.

 

The emphasis on natural is mine, and that’s purposeful. Now, when I mention flavored whiskey, there is a segment of whiskey drinkers who will roll their eyes and give you some long, in-depth explanation as to why you shouldn’t drink it. That’s a clear violation of the #DrinkCurious mantra. If you need another reason, there’s this:

 

“In my experience, there are two types of flavored whiskeys. The first involves attempting to salvage substandard whiskey by burying it in additives. The second is adding or infusing flavors into otherwise decent whiskey to enhance it. Yes, there is a real difference.” – The Whiskeyfellow, on many occasions.

 

According to history, or at least Bourbon lore, Evan Williams was the first Kentucky distiller who started his trade in 1783. However, there’s something to always remember regarding American distilling backstories: they’re fun, but you can’t always take them at face value. There is a lot of creative licensing and frequently straight bullshit that you have to wade through to get what may or may not be the truth.

 

The truth is that there really was an Evan Williams. He was a Welsh immigrant who arrived in the United States and settled in Louisville, Kentucky, sometime in the latter part of the 18th century. He was a distiller. He was also the first wharf manager in Louisville in 1797. But was he the first Kentucky distiller? Probably not.

 

If you trust Michael Veach of the Filson Historical Society (and I do), Williams didn’t emigrate to the United States until 1794, when he departed London and arrived in Philadelphia.

 

All tall tales aside, Evan Williams is an iconic American whiskey brand. It is consistently one of the top-three-selling Kentucky Straight Bourbon labels.

 

All of that leads us to the subject of today’s review: Evan Williams Blackberry. It is the classic Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon infused with blackberry liqueur and caramel color. Packaged at 32.5% ABV (65°), it is easy to find and quite affordable at $14.99 for 750mL. I picked up mine from a local liquor store. Evan Williams recommends serving it as a chilled shot, over ice, or with lemonade.

 

Did I shop well? Let’s pour it and find out!

 

• Whiskey Type: Flavored Whiskey
• Distiller: Heaven Hill
• Age: NAS
• Mashbill: 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley, then infused with blackberry liqueur
• Cooperage: New, 53-gallon charred oak barrels
• Alcohol Content: 32.5% ABV (65°)
• Price per 750mL: $14.99

 

Appearance: I used a Canadian whisky glass to explore Evan Williams Blackberry neat. Yeah, it said to serve it chilled. I review almost everything neat; today won’t be any different.

 

I observed a goldenrod color. The whiskey produced a thin rim with tightly-packed, syrupy tears.

 

Nose: After giving Evan Williams its requisite 15-minute breathing time, I brought the glass beneath my nostrils to explore its aroma. I encountered something strange: when the glass was about 4 or 5 inches from my nose, I smelled apples. Yet, when I brought it directly to my nose, I smelled rich blackberries. I was convinced something was going on with me, so I handed the glass to Mrs. Whiskeyfellow. The very first thing she said was, “Apples?” I told her to bring the glass closer, and she, too, recognized the blackberries.

 

Anyway, holding the glass just under my nose, I was able to identify blackberries, and hidden way below, I found the Bourbon’s caramel. Those were the only two notes. When I took the air into my mouth, I found only blackberries.

 

Palate: I took my first sip and was met with a dense, creamy texture and considerable warmth. The second revealed flavors of blackberries, vanilla, honey, and oak spice. I can’t say there was a true front, middle, and back; however, the oak came in late.

 

Finish: Blackberry, honey, and oak remained. It was a slow mover despite not being overly long. Like the palate, the blackberry and honey arrived first, and the oak last. The entire experience lasted 1:01.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: In August 2025, I reviewed Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Blackberry. I couldn’t help but compare the two. While Evan Williams is made with natural flavors, it was very Jolly Rancher candy-like, while the Jack Daniel’s retained much of its Bourbonesque quality.

 

Saying that, most folks will not drink Evan Williams Blackberry neat; they’ll use it as a mixer. At only $15.00, it is a near-perfect price point for that purpose. And, while that’s $6.00 less than Jack Daniel’s, the more expensive option was easily enjoyed neat.

 

What’s the verdict? It is a mixed bag. Completely ignoring the superiority of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Blackberry, Evan Williams is priced right and will hold up fantastically in a cocktail. Yet, it still takes my Bar rating. Cheers!

 

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit, but begs you to do so responsibly.