Widow Jane 7 Year Straight Bourbon

This offers a profile very similar to four roses single barrel. They are nearly identical, with the exception that this one has less cinnamon on the nose and a gentler palate. If you're considering this but hesitant about the price, I strongly recommend trying Four Roses Single Barrel first, as it costs half as much. If budget isn't a concern, I suggest acquiring both bourbons, have some enjoyment, and compare them side-by-side. Nevertheless, this bourbon is delightful and you'll appreciate it, but a more affordable alternative in Four Roses single barrel exists if price is a factor.

Aromas - nutmeg, cinnamon, tobacco, leather, clove, dry vanilla and caramel, apple, cherry, brown sugar, yeast, corn, light barrel spice, moderate ethanol burn. Taste - sweet tobacco, leather, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, caramel, brown sugar, vanilla bean, corn, apple, cherry, moderate alcohol bite, finishing quickly with caramel, rye spice, and corn sweetness. It exhibits all the characteristic notes of a high rye mashbill bourbon, but it's nothing extraordinary, especially considering the high cost. I believe it would benefit from a higher proof.

Caramel and sweetness dominate upfront, followed by a clean finish with just enough warmth to signal its quality. I cannot definitively say if the mineral water contributes to its appeal for me (having grown up drinking hard water with high iron content), but I will always choose to drink it. Tasted neat. Exclusively neat. I'd even consider drinking it through a straw to savor it longer.

The aroma begins intensely but softens to notes of vanilla, baking spices, oak, a little smoke, and the faintest hint of ripe fruit. The taste is marshmallowy and vanilla, with just enough oak for balance, alongside cooked sugar and a fruity sweetness. The finish is medium, full of vanilla with diminishing oak and a trace of brown sugar.

Cherry, cinnamon, and vanilla on the nose with a slight alcohol burn. Much smoother on the palate than you might expect. I enjoy having it in my collection and I love drinking it, but $80 is a bit steep for it. I would buy Henry McKenna for half the price before I buy this again. However, I have no regrets about buying it at all.

This was a favorite bottle while I had it, and it's readily available. The only drawback is the cost, exceeding $90 for this gem. Yet, it's a fantastic pour with flavors that are direct and impactful. Unique and excellent (even if the company is a fraud).