Evan williams 86 proof bourbon whiskey is the second largest selling bourbon brand in the u. S. And the world. Recognized for its outstanding quality and consistently evan williams has grown to become one of the most popular american whiskeys in the world. 43% abv when evan williams first began distilling his bourbon on the banks of the ohio river in 1783 he probably couldn’t have imagined that it would have led to the crafting of an entire family of bourbons.