Widow Jane Lucky Thirteen Small Batch 2024

I was a massive fan of the Willett 12 Year, and I generally like their releases. The price jumps significantly after this one, but if it's anything like its predecessor, I'm willing to pay the premium. I have high expectations for this. This is from Batch #7, Bottle 1444, bottled in 2024. Nose: Cocoa and mocha. Brown sugar, brownie, caramel, and toffee. Hints of Vick's Vapor Rub and black cherry. Gala apple. Leather and black pepper. Clove, nutmeg, dill, rye spice, and abundant oak. Palate: Chewy caramel, brown sugar, milk and mint chocolate, and toffee. Fudge notes. Prominent Gala apple and black cherry. Carrot cake and vanilla ice cream. Pecan. Cocoa. Raisin and dried apricot. Black tea. Toasted almond and walnut. Sawdust and pipe smoke. Barrel char and oak. Finish: More fudge, toffee, vanilla ice cream, milk chocolate, caramel, and toffee. Gala apple and dried apricot. Sawdust. Clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, and oak. The finish is moderately long. This is simply outstanding. I realize this might sound pretentious, and feel free to point it out, but as I'm enjoying this in May, I can't help but feel it's truly an Autumnal bourbon. Its high viscosity, chewy caramel, coupled with apple, leather, and ample spice perfectly capture the essence of fall drinking for me. At $100 for a 13-year-old bourbon at this proof, it's a fantastic deal. It's superb from the first scent to the final sensation on the finish. Extremely well-balanced. I'm now convinced to try The Lucky Thirteen's older siblings. 5/5.

Very woody. Flavors of spice and barrel are present. Smooth when served with a large ice cube.