This will be a new experience for me. This is my very first tasting of a whiskey finished in amburana casks. I’ll start by saying that the color is an intriguing dark amber. ‘Brazilian oak’, amburana grows in the dry jungles of southeastern Brazil and northern Argentina. Both are challenging environments that lead to slow growth and limited availability. I will be objective in terms of how well the flavors coalesce, how the heat affects the experience, and generally whether the profile just works.
“As is the case with all Widow Jane whiskeys, The Vaults 2024 is non-chill filtered and proofed with the pure limestone mineral water from the legendary Rosendale Mines of New York, just 100 miles north of the distillery, which contributes to the round mouthfeel and exceptionally long finish.” – From a Widow Jane news release.
Class: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Price: $250.00/750ml
OK, enough details. Let’s get to the tasting!
Widow Jane The Vaults
- Aged 15+ years
- Finished in Brazilian amburana casks.
- Distilled and aged by Widow Jane, Red Hook, Brooklyn NY.
- Mash bill: a blend of old and rare casks ,but actual mash bill is unstated.
- Bottled at 49.5% ABV (99 proof).
Nose: 90/100. Rich oak dominates. Followed by Amaretto, cherry, graham cracker, and cinnamon. Overall, a very complex nose.
Palate: 88/100. Rich oak forward, with a touch of sweetness. Followed by cinnamon and raisin, along with a nice silky mouthfeel.
Finish: 80/100. Honey, coconut macaroon followed by charred oak and a long finish.
Overall: 86/100
Recommendation: Quite complex and worth buying a pour.
Bill Varnell is the Publisher of Whiskey Network Magazine® and is the curator of WBSE’s Rickhouse
