Widow Jane Single Barrel Straight Bourbon 10 Year 2008 Release (Barrel #1791)

When I saw this bourbon won a major magazine's top bourbon award I thought uh oh, publicity stunt / lipstick on an externally sourced bourbon pig. But hey this pig is Smoooth.. with a capital S for those who are reading this after a few too many. Yes it has that artificial cherry flavor that makes you want to scrape off your taste buds, but after opening and from the customary first sip before time and water I was like hey this doesn't need any of that. Call it manufactured (which I guess of course it is) but they do it well..and it is from a single cask so new make, cask and time influenced only. Limestone water apparently is the difference... one of those now I read it it's in my head moments as I'm like yeah that comes through. Sweet mellow oak, lime, cherry etc. Definitely on the dessertish side.... and did I mention smooooth. Ok maybe the litre of craft beer (a USA NZ brewer combination which was very good) prior is impacting my judgement, as complexity... think about the poor little missing complexities but hey the balance is perrrrfect, taste is great and right now it's ticking all the boxes.

Vanilla, faint smoke, cherry, and quite warm.

This proves my spouse cares for me.