🥃 The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 3: Heaven Hill’s Bottled-in-Bond Family Feud

At Shores Fine Wine and Spirits near me, Evan Williams Bottled in Bond goes for around $20. Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond 7-Year sits in the middle at about $40–45. And Henry McKenna 10-Year Bottled in Bond commands roughly $65.

That’s a pretty wide spread for three bourbons that, on paper, look almost identical. Same distillery (Heaven Hill). Same mashbill (78% corn, 12% malted barley, 10% rye). Same 100 proof, courtesy of the Bottled-in-Bond Act.

So what do you really get for $20, $40, or $65? Let’s line up the family and find out.

Color

Evan Williams – Respectably copper, not far behind McKenna.
Henry McKenna – A solid copper glow, classic for a 10-year bourbon.
Heaven Hill 7-Year – The standout here. Surprisingly darker, edging toward mahogany, even with three fewer years in the barrel than McKenna. Rich and inviting from the start.

Verdict: A strong showing across the board, but Heaven Hill steals the first impression.

Nose

Evan Williams – Oak, peanut butter, vanilla. Straightforward but pleasant.
Henry McKenna – A little hot at first, then settles into classic bourbon territory: vanilla, caramel, oak.
Heaven Hill – Creamier than either sibling, with vanilla, caramel, and just a trace of oak.

Verdict: None of the noses are fireworks, but Heaven Hill again shows more refinement, while Evan proves it can hold its ground against McKenna.

Palate

Evan Williams – Not complex, but faithful to the bourbon profile: nutty, lightly creamy, caramel, and cinnamon. A touch of bite despite the low rye content, but very drinkable.
Henry McKenna – Fuller-bodied, with deeper oak, caramel, nutmeg, and vanilla. The 10 years bring more richness without overwhelming tannins. Solid, satisfying.
Heaven Hill – Creamier than McKenna, with less oak influence. Balanced, richer than its older sibling in almost every way.

Verdict: Heaven Hill delivers the surprise of the night—eclipsing McKenna’s complexity while staying silky and approachable.

Finish

Evan Williams – Quick fade, but a pleasant Kentucky hug remains, with cinnamon spice that lingers just long enough.
Henry McKenna – Long, rich finish. The viscosity carries flavors deep into the chest; the hug becomes an embrace.
Heaven Hill – Slightly proofy at first, but settles into cinnamon and vanilla. Not as luxurious as McKenna’s, but still satisfying and memorable.

Verdict: McKenna wins the finish, but Heaven Hill isn’t far behind. Evan delivers value but can’t compete with the staying power of its older brothers.

The Scores

Evan Williams Bottled in Bond: 75.0
Henry McKenna Bottled in Bond: 80.3
Heaven Hill 7-Year Bottled in Bond: 81.8

Final Verdict

McKenna and Heaven Hill are both shelf-worthy bourbons. McKenna wears its age with confidence, offering a richer, deeper experience that every bourbon aficionado should try. Heaven Hill, though, manages to outshine its older sibling with creaminess and balance that put it on the front row of my shelf.

And then there’s Evan. The $20 warrior. It may not have the depth or staying power of the others, but it stands proudly as a value pour that every bourbon drinker should have on hand.

Think of it this way:

Evan is the loyal wingman—you’ll never regret spending time with him.
Henry is the impressive date everyone notices.
Heaven Hill is the friend you didn’t expect to fall for—quietly richer, easier to be around, and the one you’ll keep coming back to.

At the end of the day, you might aspire to leave with Henry or Heaven Hill. But you’ll never regret the time you spend with Evan.