Evan Williams Experience and Artisanal Still
Evan Williams is a well known name in the Bourbon business and the first to open a downtown visitor center and distillery. We visited the Evan Williams Experience in downtown Louisville, KY for a tour and a visit with Artisan Distiller Charlie Downs. The Experience occupies a single building divided into a lobby, a walking tour of the history of the brand, and an artisanal distillery.
We took the tour with a group of 20 or so other whiskey enthusiasts and our tour guide lead us through a series of rooms. We first entered a theater that presented the story of Evan Williams and the town of Louisville as it was in 1782. It was interesting to see the depiction and how Williams played a part in the prosperity and development of the town.
The video was informative, although I think the story was embellished quite a bit to put a friendly face on Williams. But whether the video was a true depiction of Williams and the town people or not, it was clear that Williams’ bourbon played a significant role in the growth of Louisville.
We also walked through a hallway that was a recreation of the town of Louisville and our guide explained the history of Whiskey Row and the shops along the street. At the Max and Harry Bar, named for Max Shapira, the company’s CEO and Harry Shapira, Max’s cousin, we tasted a few of the Evan Williams selections. 
At the end of the tour we were introduced to Charlie Downs, Evan Williams’ Artisanal Master Distiller who operates the on-premises distillery. Charlie took us through the rest of the building and showed us the systems and equipment he uses. 
Charlie Downs
The still equipment was installed in the Experience as both a showcase and an experimental still where different mashbills can be processed. Charlie produces about one barrel of bourbon every day. We were able to hammer in the bung on barrel #349 and sign our names on the barrel. Unfortunately it will be another 6 years before we can taste the contents of the barrel. And if it turns out to be good, I’m told that I can buy the entire barrel. Of course getting a full barrel back home will be a challenge.
Charlie lead us through the distilling facility and the beautiful copper stills made by Vendome (the company that makes many of the stills for Bourbon makers) are stunning.
Because the still is located in town and connected to the city sewer system the used grain and water need to be treated before being returned to the sewer system. This is typical for any distilleries using the city water system. Some of the distillers further out in the country use natural limestone water that’s said to produce a characteristic Kentucky taste. But increasingly more producers use city water that they first filter in order to neutralize any chemicals and more closely match the natural spring water. I haven’t found any bourbons that use city water to suffer from the purification process.
Charlie explained his process for creating the three different bourbons. So far he has made Rye based Bourbon, 51% Rye whiskey, and a Wheated Bourbon. In the future he plans to make vodka, gin, and corn whiskey. It falls short of being classified as experimental but is still different from the standard Evan Williams products because the mash bill is a bit different and the pot still is different (certainly smaller) than the ones used to produce their higher volume products.
Charlie has been in the business with Evan Williams for 39 years. In 2013 he moved to the Experience and took charge of the new still. From his enthusiasm during our visit it’s clear that Charlie is enjoying his downtown assignment. Unfortunately none of the barrels he has produced have aged long enough to go into bottles. Given that the barrel we closed on our visit (2015) will not be available until 2021, the 2013 barrels still have 4 more years in the rickhouse before we can check out his skills using this distillery. But I have the date on my calendar and look forward to a return visit… maybe a bit sooner.
Charlie checks the contents of a barrel about to be shipped out to the warehouse.
The lobby of the Experience.
