Widow Jane 14 Year Old Bourbon

The Widow Jane 14 Year Old (The Vaults 2022 Release) is a masterfully blended bourbon that represents the fourth installment of the distillery’s highly exclusive "The Vaults" series. This limited-edition expression is a marriage of some of the oldest and rarest stocks in the Widow Jane rickhouse, featuring a blend of straight bourbons from Tennessee and Indiana aged between 14 and 19 years. To further elevate the profile, the 2022 edition was finished in Missouri Ozark oak casks that were air-seasoned for an extraordinary three years, providing a refined wood character that is both deep and nuanced.

On the nose, this 99-proof small-batch bourbon is rich and inviting, opening with bold aromas of toasted vanilla, broken-in leather, and seasoned oak campfire. Because it is proofed with the legendary mineral-rich limestone water from the Rosendale Mines of New York, there is a distinct mineral clarity that cuts through the heavier notes of sarsaparilla and burnt sugary fruits. The palate is full-bodied and velvety, delivering a sophisticated symphony of sweet tobacco, powdered oven-baked cherries, and roasted nuts. The tight-grain Missouri oak adds a spicy complexity that prevents the long-aged sweetness from becoming overbearing.

The finish is exceptionally long and warming, trailing off with lingering notes of unsweetened cinnamon and cocoa powder, followed by a creamy, buttery oak sweetness. With only 2,000 cases (12,000 bottles) released, the 14-year-old 2022 vintage is a top-shelf prize for collectors who appreciate the art of the "finish" and the unique impact of air-seasoned staves. It is best enjoyed neat, allowing the layers of dark fruit and antique wood to slowly unfurl as the spirit rests in the glass.