Widow Jane Decadence 10 Year (Annual Release)

Nose: It's like an apple turnover and pecan pie had a child. The aroma is very maple-forward, with underlying notes of toasted pecan and apple, plus a whisper of bread. Palate: Maple on the tongue, accompanied by notes of burnt sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. A pleasantly sweet sip, but not overwhelming. Finish: A warm, comforting finish with lingering hints of shortbread and brown sugar. It leaves a cozy sensation in your chest. Overall: Despite mixed opinions I've seen on this bottle, I really like it! It's made for a sweeter taste but balances the sweetness well, making it an easy drink. I would certainly buy it again!

This is Batch 3 from 2022. Honestly, I was a bit let down. After hearing such high praise, I found it lacked depth. It took several sips to discern the flavors. I get maple and vanilla on the nose. Once it touches your lips, the maple is present but subtle. I anticipated a more pronounced maple presence. Then, oak emerges on the finish. Perhaps the lower alcohol content is a factor. I suspect something above 105 proof would improve it. But I can see why someone would enjoy it on their pancakes.

Tasted straight at the Grand Canyon. On the nose, I detect the expected maple syrup along with vanilla, oak, caramel, and black cherries. On the palate, it's exceptionally smooth and creamy, with notes of vanilla, nuts, maple syrup, char, and toast. I anticipated this would be excessively sweet for me, but it wasn't at all. I could enjoy this neat as a dessert or on the rocks. Delicious. I eagerly await my partner trying it over ice. You can judge me, I dare you.

Nose: brown sugar, maple syrup, oak, a hint of nuttiness Palate: pleasant spice and oakiness with an underlying creamy sweetness from the maple syrup cask finish Finish: A nice finishing spice Batch #1, Bottle #858, Year 2022 A bottle finally appeared in town, so I acquired it quickly. Very enjoyable neat; the maple syrup finish is understated and well-executed. Light to medium viscosity. Not overwhelmingly complex, but a very pleasant sipper.

I can taste the bit of maple, but it’s less overpowering than I anticipated. It’s got a sweetness, but it’s not overbearing, and strikes a good balance of vanilla and maple with tannic and just the right amount of heat. Good bottle. Unlike some bottles that can break down pretty quickly with ice, if you want it to smooth out and increase the sweetness to bring out the maple, add a couple of cubes.

Smells of caramel and sweetness with no harshness in the aroma, clearly picking up the maple flavor. That maple really cuts any harshness. I genuinely enjoy it. I favor sweeter tastes, and the maple guarantees that. It's not as dessert-like as claimed. It still tastes like a bourbon to me, just not hitting every typical bourbon note. Widow Jane is a solid brand.