Widow Jane 10 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon Review

Brent Joseph -

BOTTLE DETAILS

WIDOW JANE 10 YEAR OLD SINGLE BARREL BOURBON

  • DISTILLER: Widow Jane Distillery blends the KY-sourced bourbon (unable to disclose which distillery made it) with their own Limestone Mineral Water from the Widow Jane Mine in Rosendale, NY.
  • MASH BILL: 70% Corn  | 20% Rye  |  10% Malt
  • AGE: 10 Years
  • YEAR: 2016 | Barrel #1188  | Bottle #148
  • PROOF: 91 (45.5% ABV)
  • MSRP: $54.99
  • BUY ONLINE: Casker’s

Brent's NOTES

NOSE: Alcohol Burn  |  Chemical aroma (acetone or nail polish)  |  Maraschino Cherries

TASTE: Dark Cherries  |  Honey  |  Corn

FINISH: Long but not hot. Especially with a KY chew, this leaves a flavor on the palate but not in a good way. The only thing I can compare it to is the old-timey original flavor Listerine mouthwash, like the back of your palate, has been coated with it. When I took a regular sip and didn’t give it the full KY chew treatment, this was much more enjoyable. The sweetness of the honey and the dark cherries come out, and you get much more of the corn rather than the strange mouthwash flavor.

SHARE WITH: At 91 proof, it’s very approachable and not too hot. This will depend on who is drinking it. Are they a bourbon novice? Can they a wheater from a high rye by taste? It will depend on how sophisticated the individuals’ palate is.

WORTH THE PRICE: This isn’t available in my market, but I’ve seen it listed online from $69.99-$84.99. No.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bar and decide for yourself.

OVERALL: I wouldn’t have guessed that this was a 10 yr. It tastes much younger. I added a splash of water after the initial tasting and got a lot of black licorice on the nose. When a bit of water was added the flavor became much sweeter with even more honey and some caramel and vanilla poking through. Better with water but there was still that odd flavor when I did the KY chew. I’ll be pouring the rest of this bottle for friends and guests to try more than I’ll be pouring it for myself.

POPS' NOTES

NOSE:  Tobacco  |  Butter  |  Charred Oak

TASTE: Honey  |  Hint of Cherries  | Oak  |  Tobacco

FINISH:  Dry oak finish laden with spices and a hint of orange peel

SHARE WITH: This is not a beginner’s bourbon. I’d share this with folks who have been enjoying bourbon for a while and like their bourbon a slightly more tannic profile.

WORTH THE PRICE: Compared to other bourbons on the market, the $54.99 MSRP is a fair price. It doesn’t hit my preferred flavor profile so I would probably pass but for many, it would be a sound investment.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: I would give this one a try at a bar before buying a bottle. It’s a solid if a bit too oaky, bourbon that doesn’t quite hit my preferred flavor profile. And even if you like your bourbon a bit tannic, this one doesn’t stand out from others on the market. It’s worth a try before you buy. And then, if you like it enough, by all means, grab a bottle or two for your home bar.

OVERALL:  The brand states that this is a 10-year old bourbon that drinks like a 20-year old bourbon. There’s some truth to that statement. The nose is a mix of tobacco, butter and charred oak that give a sense of age. On the palate, it’s thin and rather flat with a muted combination of honey for sweetness, a whisper of cherries and a slightly bolder mix of oak and tobacco. I expected this one to be thicker and more robust on my tongue, but it fell short of expectations. Could be a result of putting too much water in when proofing it down but I can’t be sure. (Could have been too okay at a higher proof resulting in more water and therefore, a bit less flavor. But that’s just my guess.)

I expected this one to be thicker and more robust on my tongue, but it fell short of expectations. Could be a result of putting too much water in when proofing it down but I can’t be sure. (Could have been too okay at a higher proof resulting in more water and therefore, a bit less flavor. But that’s just my guess.)

At the price point, it’s not overly expensive for what it is, but I think there are more interesting choices on the market regardless of your preferred flavor profile. At the end of the day, it’s a decent bourbon with a distinct profile that’s worthy of trying when you’re out at a bar that carries it.

BRAND NOTES

As great whiskey distillers throughout the world — from Kentucky to Scotland — have long known, it takes sweet water from tough rock to make great whiskey. And, that’s what Widow Jane Whiskey is all about.

This 10-year whiskey is aged to perfection. It drinks like a 20-year bourbon with its deep cherry notes and light tannic finish.

NOSE: Butter  |  Cream  |  Toffee

PALATE: Cherry Wood  |  Olive Oil  |  Orange

FINISH: Burnt Orange and Spice with a light tannic fuzz

Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.