I have liked the Widow Jane products ever since Lisa Roper Wicker became their Master Distiller and Blender. Lisa has since left the distillery and Heaven Hill has purchased the distillery, but Lisa’s influence is still there. They are putting out fine whiskey and the latest version of The Vaults is no exception. It is fifteen year old whiskey that is sourced whiskey, but since they became part of Heaven Hill, they have access to many fine barrels. I don’t know if this is Heaven Hill whiskey and it could be barrels that Widow Jane owned before the purchase, but it is fine whiskey. This Bourbon is finished in Amburana wood barrels from Brazil and Argentina and cut with the Widow Jane water from the mines in New York State. Matt and I sat down and tasted this Bourbon the other day and here are our tasting notes.

Widow Jane The Vaults Bourbon 2024

Proof: 99

Age: Fifteen Years Old

Nose:

  • Mike: Caramel, wild berries, baking spices and oak wood.
  • Matt: Caramel, raisins, a nice floral note and oak wood.

Taste:

  • Mike: Caramel, raspberries, cherries, cinnamon, cardamom and oak wood. Tasted with a dried cranberry and it brings out notes of blackberries and wild cherries to join the party. Tasted with a pecan and a dark chocolate note comes forward.
  • Matt: Caramel, cereal grains, raisins, floral notes, white pepper and oak wood. The dried cranberry enhanced the raisin notes. The pecan enhanced the oak wood.

Finish:

  • Mike: Long with oak wood and baking spices. The dried cranberry added some lingering wild berry notes. The pecan made the finish long and fruity with raspberry, blackberry and cherries, balancing the oak wood to perfection.
  • Matt: Long with oak wood, raisins and white pepper. The dried cranberry made the finish spicy with lots of white pepper. The pecan made the finish long and dry with lots of oak wood and white pepper.

I would pair this fine Bourbon with a cigar that has lots of vanilla and tobacco in the smoke. I would reach for a Montecristo 1935 Anniversary cigar.

Photos Courtesy of Rosemary Miller