Brooklyn-based Widow Jane continues to show that mixing is severe enterprise, and its devotion to experimentation isn’t going to cease even beneath its newish possession of Heaven Hill.
“The Vaults” releases have arrived yearly since 2019, every of them well-aged bourbons with usually uncommon ending. The fifth Vaults launch, from late 2024, might be its most excessive but, utilizing polarizing Brazilian amburana wooden casks to complete a 15-year-old blended bourbon.
As Widow Jane head blender Sienna Jevremov notes, amburana is “a bombastic wooden,” and it has a large impression on whiskey. I used to be excited to see how it will fare with a really well-aged bourbon that sees the inclusion of barrels as outdated as 20 years of age. Ideas comply with.
Bombastic is not any joke: This whiskey evokes daring aromas straight away that may problem most bourbon connoisseurs: almond and banana are outstanding, with a pleasant little bit of dill and a light-weight slick of furnishings polish on high. It’s very unique however surprisingly well-rounded and interesting.
The palate rapidly takes you right into a deep dive that’s dominated by one component over all others: coconut. I don’t suppose I’ve encountered a whiskey that has a extra vibrant and vivid coconut taste than this one, which provides The Vaults a really candy high quality that’s unimaginable to shake. Persevering with notes of dill give the whiskey a substantial pickly high quality, however this fades within the face of what follows — large banana and bubble gum notes, adopted by candy marshmallow cream.
The end stays extremely tropical, once more touched with herbs (extra dill) and a reprise of banana and coconut. Hints of strawberry take issues in yet one more course on the fade out.
There’s nothing about this whiskey that isn’t distinctive, and even for those who’re not usually a fan of amburana, I feel it’s one thing value tasting a minimum of as soon as.
99 proof.
A- / $250 / widowjane.com [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Widow Jane The Vaults 15 Years Outdated 2024
$250
