Widow Jane Uncorks Bourbon Distilled With Heirloom ‘Baby Jane’ Corn, a First Within the Category

On Monday, Brooklyn-based Widow Jane Distillery unveiled what it claims to be the first nationally available bourbon made using proprietary heirloom corn. Renowned for their vibrant colors and robust, often unconventional flavors, heirloom corns are grown from farmer-preserved seeds passed down over the generations without genetic tinkering. Widow Jane's take on the concept, dubbed "Baby Jane" corn, was overseen by farmer John Gill in upstate New York. The project reportedly first took shape in 2013 when head distiller Sienna Jevermov joined forces with operations lead Michele Clark to collect heirloom strains from seed banks across the country. Two varieties — Bloody Butcher Red and Wapsie Valley Yellow — were eventually chosen to cross-pollinate, creating a medium-toned hybrid strain that was cultivated into its current form over the years.

“There are certainly easier ways to make whiskey that don’t involve actually developing and perfecting an entirely original strain of corn," Clark said in a news release. "Tasting the results of all that painstakingly detailed work - trial after trial after trial until we got the liquid where we wanted it before laying it down in barrels - is incredibly gratifying and we hope everyone enjoys this bourbon as much as we enjoyed the journey we took in making it."

Following distillation, the spirit was aged for four to six years in charred American oak barrels. On the palate, the 91-proof expression is said to boast flavors of stone fruit and a "remarkably long finish." Just 15,000 cases were produced, expected to begin rolling out nationwide in June with a suggested retail price of $50 per bottle. Though Baby Jane Bourbon may be the first of its kind, other distilleries have taken stabs at its foundational corn strains. In April, Jeptha Creed Distillery rolled out a 6-year-old wheated bourbon made with Bloody Butcher Red, an eye-catching corn variety known for its deep crimson hue. Before that, Casey Jones Distillery unveiled its own 110-proof bourbon similarly distilled with the distinctive strain. Those hoping to taste Widow Jane's twist on the concept can learn more about the upcoming release on the brand's website .

Baby Jane Bourbon Tasting Notes, Per the Brand

• Nose: "Honeycomb, Cream Soda, Salty Air, Green Grape"
• Taste: "Cafe au Lait, Strawberries & Cream Taffy, Salted Caramel, Fresh Fig, Allspice, Raspberry Leaf"
• Finish: "Peach Compote, Star Anise, Cut Hay, Horchata, Soft Pretzel, Milk Chocolate"

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