Review: Evan Williams Honey Reserve Liqueur
Review: Evan Williams Honey Reserve Liqueur
Watch out American Honey, there’s another bourbon-inspired honey liqueur on the market, and it’s gonna be breathing down your neck but quick.
Evan Williams has turned in its own rendition on the honey-flavored liqueur, this one with the promise of “extra-aged bourbon” in the mix. It can’t be much — the color of this liqueur is a delicate gold — but it sure comes across on the tongue.
The nose really just hints at honey: The initial aroma is strong with citrus and a little bit of whiskey in there, too. The palate again reveals lots of orange character, and a moderate amount of honey. And then that extra-aged whiskey kicks in — a relatively straightforward, but rich, bourbon finish that plays on the tongue until the honey comes back for a final round.
Very smooth and easygoing, Honey Reserve is a powerful competitor to Wild Turkey’s version, again not too sweet and not too syrupy and definitely worth a try as an after-dinner digestif, on the rocks of course. Which is my favorite? By golly it’s neck and neck but, in the end, I have to give the slight nod to the newcomer, Evan Williams Honey Reserve.
70 proof. Arriving on shelves this month.
A- / $15 / evanwilliams.com [BUY IT NOW FROM TOTAL WINE]
Evan Williams Honey Reserve Liqueur
$15
how much sugar —I’m diabetic
I just picked this up earlier this evening after already having American Honey. This is hands down much better. I will definitely keep this one stocked!
My wife bought me a mini-bottle of this new bourbon with honey and its a winner.
Recommended for slow sipping after supper or as a drink when you don’t have to leave the hive!
What stores are you finding evan willaims honey reserve in. I can’t find it around here
I came across it on the local military base. It was on 12.50 vs $20 for American Honey. I think I still favor AH, but not at the premium. Especially since I typically use it as a sweetener in hot tea/cider, not straight.
I want to add one note. I got the very last bottle of EWHR, which was right next to the AH. The AH stock was 100% full. As the reviewer said, AH better watch out.
At my liquor store, 12.99 with a nice $10 rebate. I look forward to the first sip.
Just picked some up for $16. The clerk said they had to special order it because so many people were requesting it. Yum. I am pretty fuckin excited.
Just bought a bottle for 9.99 and came with a 10$ rebate so thats a free bottle. I havent tried it yet but even if it taste like shit who cares? I like EW bourbon so I am sure I wont be dissapointed. Anyway a free bottle is always good, dont be jealous suckas!!!
I bought all thay had, but i hope the price dont rase , so i can keep it in stock at my house. I pay 15.00 bottle
Total swill. I guess I was expecting something a little more subtle than this syrupy shit.
I’m a big fan, especially when the ABC Store has it on sale for $12.55 total, (after tax.) Gettin’ ready to have a little taste now…
EWHR, sip for sip, runs a close second to JDAH. JDAH just seems to have a finer bourbon flavor and a better quality honey in the mix, equaling an overall better taste. However, if the palette is not THAT discriminating, You’ve got to go for EWHR because of the price.
Correction: All above references to JDAH should be WTAH. My bad. (I am a Jack Daniels fan !)
Rocco’s post should be disregarded: anyone who admits to liking JD doesn’t have a fit opinion on Bourbon ;). JD has a finer bourbon flavor? That’s like saying Sand is better when you’re thirsty than water. If it had been a Jack based drink as you thought, it would have 0 bourbon flavor, it would have the flavor of Tennessee Whiskey, which as Jonathan Hodgeman has stated so elequently, is in fact charcoal filtered semen.
Bought it. Tried it “on the rocks.” LOVE it! And, the price is good.
KY boy, is exactly that- a boy.
A kentucky gentleman would not be so crass. Tennessee whiskey(JD) is just fine.
But our bootleg moonshine is even better.
Send me a jug!
we have yet to receive our rebate. it was sent SEVERAL weeks ago. what do you have to say about that?
we have not received our reward, and we sent it in SEVERAL weeks ago. what is the deal with that?
updyke – You would have to take that up with Evan Williams.
Bought a bottle of Seagrams 7 last nite at a liquor store that just opened and the owner had a large container of sample bottles (airline size) He dug around and pulled up an EWHR and gave it to me free. Thought I’d won a raffle or something. He thanked me for stopping at his new store and I thanked him for the gift but I thought to myself YUCK what is this crap! I went down the road and said heck I’ll take a sip…surprised and impressed were the thoughts in my mind then. I’ve always drank Jim Beam (NEVER Jack Daniels) until Jim priced himself out of reality and I lowered my standards a notch and became a 7and 7 guy (still 37 notches above Jack) and I have never been one for Liqueurs. I may be now!
I got on-line to look for recipes with EWHR when I found this site but really as it stands I could drink this as is.
Note: I had a buddy with me who took a pull on it, too. As much as I liked it he hated it….That is a real plus for me though and only adds to its chances of me bcoming a dedicated customer…Why? Because my friend has a favorite drink too…My bottle of Jim Beam and My bottle Seagrams 7. (But even that no buying bum would pass on a free bottle Jack!)
Bought a bottle today. Price was right and I wanted to try something different. Damned tasty with ginger ale. Might be a regular bottle in my collection.
It seems Seagrams has their own honey liqueur now based off of 7. I am not a fan. It’s straight swill. Stick with this, WTAH, or Drambuie.
What is this about a rebate? I see mention of it but no one says from where it can be found. Come on, take another sip and open up. lol.
I just tried this in the little bottle. It definitely has kick. Slightly sweet, slightly herbal. I have a real sweet tooth when it comes to drinks, so I mixed it in with mango nectar and it added a nice subtle flavor that really enhanced the mango. I’ll be buying a full bottle, whatever the price.
Tried this in place of Wild Turkey’s rendition and like it very much. A great sipping experience, I highly recommend.
Saw it on the TOP SHELF of my local liquor store, Looking foe a mixer. Tried it neat. It is quite good but no where as good Drambuie. Becomes quite sickly after a couple of shots.
Good Stuff! A little ice…dash of ginger ale… happy times
was recommended this from my liquor store gal.Had it neat and liked it. Nice bourbon flavors. Had it, as recommended by the gal, with an Arnold Palmer (lemonade and ice tea & make it yourself) and it became the new house drink.
Even williams honey with waterback or beer chaser that’s the way to go
How can I get a rebate. Bought a bottle but no rebate. I still have a receipt.
Anyone know of place in S. Calif that sells Honey Reserve? It cost a fortune to have it shipped from an online site. Thanks
This stuff is awesome and the best bang for your buck when it comes to ‘honey whiskeys’
now whats all the excitement? i bet no one has actually put real honey in a few shots of whiskey or bourbon? let me tell u its very good! just mix it well…try it!
I love this stuff too much – it sneaks up on me, I don’t realize how much I drank until it is too late. I have tried several other “American Honeys”: Segrams, Wild Turkey, Jack Damiels, yours is the best.
This is better than Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey and FAR better than Southern Comfort!
I am looking for an online retailer that sells the Evan Williams Honey in the miniature bottles? Any thoughts?
Then don’t drink it Ronald. Sheesh…
jim beam honey is better for sipping I did not try mixing either
I stay at Kolkata, India. Which is the cheapest way to order your Honey Reserve and what will be the price approximately ?
Drink Evan Williams straight often since Mr. Beam decided to get expensive. The EW Honey is too syrupy for my preference. It would probably be a good selection if you are entertaining females or intending on mixing. If you are like me and enjoy a straight neat bourbon with the right amount of kick, you should pass.