Widow Jane
“Total abstinence is an impossibility and it will not do to insist on it as a general practice.”
Widow Jane’s flagship 10 year-old expression is an absolute treat, especially if you have a bit of a sweet tooth. Right from the moment you pour it into the glass, this one firmly marks its territory as a dessert-forward dram. Pour yourself a measure, give it a minute to settle, and stick your nose right in. You are immediately hit with big, welcoming waves of sweet vanilla and rich butterscotch. It’s got a great backbone to it as well, thanks to a healthy hit of toasted oak balancing things out, alongside a lovely fruitiness from some dark dried cherries. It’s an incredibly inviting aroma that makes you want to dive straight into the glass.
Take a sip, and the good news is that the liquid completely lives up to the promise of the nose. The mouthfeel is spot on—it’s seriously creamy, smooth, and perfectly balanced on the tongue, without ever feeling too heavy or greasy. Flavour-wise, it’s a beautifully warming experience. You get a massive hit of festive baking spices and cinnamon taking center stage, which gives the dram a brilliant depth. Woven all the way through the palate is a subtle nuttiness that keeps things interesting from start to finish. It manages to be sweet and complex all at once, without letting any single flavour crowd out the rest.
When it comes to the finish, it wraps things up beautifully. It gives you a lovely medium to long warming finish that gently coats the throat rather than burning your socks off. It tapers off into a pleasantly dry profile, and right at the very end, you get a subtle, sophisticated hint of smoke that leaves a lasting impression.
Honestly, it’s a cracker of a bourbon. It’s highly approachable, packs a massive flavour punch, and because the proof is dialed in just right, it makes for an effortless neat pour you can enjoy all evening.
