Widow Jane, a well-known Brooklyn-based craft distillery, is expanding its popular "The Vaults" series with the release of The Vaults 2024. This new edition offers a unique twist, focusing on using Brazilian Amburana wood to finish a blend of rare, aged bourbons. It’s an exciting release for whiskey lovers and collectors alike, offering not only high-quality aged whiskey but also an innovative exploration of wood finishing techniques.
Image credit: Widow Jane
The Vaults series is a cornerstone of Widow Jane’s brand, with each annual release experimenting with different types of wood to highlight the characteristics of older whiskeys. The latest release, The Vaults 2024, is a blend of 15-year-old and 20-year-old straight bourbon whiskeys that have been carefully matured and finished in Amburana casks. Brazilian Amburana wood is known for its bold, aromatic qualities, making this edition of The Vaults a notable departure from more traditional American oak finishes.
Sienna Jevremov, Widow Jane’s head distiller and blender, is behind this new creation. Jevremov took over blending duties from former distiller Lisa Wicker in 2022, and The Vaults 2024 marks an important milestone in her tenure. According to Jevremov, working with Amburana wood was both an exciting challenge and a creative opportunity. She emphasized the intense, aromatic nature of Amburana wood, which brings out earthy and spicy elements in the whiskey.
Jevremov described her approach to blending this release as a delicate process. Her first goal was to create a well-balanced, robust blend from the older whiskeys. Once that was achieved, she carefully introduced the Amburana casks, ensuring that the wood’s rich, tropical notes worked harmoniously with the whiskey’s existing flavor profile. “Amburana is a bombastic wood, full of heady, rich aromatics,” Jevremov said. “My task was to slowly introduce the Amburana to work with the whiskey’s notes in delicate harmony.” Her hope is that drinkers will be able to enjoy the interaction between the deeply aged whiskey and the exotic, spiced qualities of the wood.
At 49.5% ABV (99 proof), Widow Jane The Vaults 2024 is a robust spirit that promises complex aromas and flavors. On the nose, it offers a combination of amaretto cookie, fig leaf, cherry blossom, honeyed graham crackers, and cinnamon bark. On the palate, drinkers can expect an intriguing mix of rosemary, cinnamon raisin, olive oil, sencha green tea, and roasted yams. The finish is described as having notes of black licorice, honeysuckle, coconut macaroon, caramelized carrots, and satsuma, providing a rich and lingering tasting experience.
With such a distinctive flavor profile, The Vaults 2024 will appeal to whiskey aficionados looking for something truly unique. The influence of the Amburana wood sets it apart from other bourbons on the market, offering a deeper, more exotic tasting experience that’s hard to find elsewhere.
Widow Jane’s The Vaults 2024 is a limited release, with only 24,000 bottles available starting in October. Priced at $250 per bottle, it’s positioned as a premium offering for collectors and serious whiskey enthusiasts. The bourbon is non-chill filtered, preserving its full body and flavor, which should enhance its appeal to those who appreciate the craftsmanship of high-quality whiskey.
In addition to The Vaults 2024, Widow Jane also announced the return of another fan favorite, Decadence. Decadence takes a different approach, finishing a 10-year-old bourbon in maple syrup casks for a sweet, rich flavor profile. It is bottled at 45.5% ABV and will be priced at $100, making it a slightly more accessible option for those looking to explore Widow Jane’s innovative techniques without committing to the higher price point of The Vaults 2024.
Widow Jane’s commitment to experimentation and quality is evident in both of these releases. While Decadence focuses on the interplay of bourbon and maple syrup casks, The Vaults 2024 pushes the boundaries by bringing in the rarely used Amburana wood. It’s a bold move that shows Jevremov’s confidence and vision as a whiskey maker.
Since taking the reins from Lisa Wicker, Jevremov has steadily carved out her own identity as a blender and distiller. The Vaults 2023 was her first major project as head of the blending team, and she used that release to explore the nuances of American oak. Now, with The Vaults 2024, she’s pushing the boundaries even further, using Brazilian oak to introduce whiskey lovers to new flavors and textures. This release represents a significant step forward for Jevremov, as she continues to establish her>Widow Jane’s use of aged bourbon in combination with distinctive wood finishes has earned the distillery a reputation for crafting complex, nuanced whiskeys that appeal to both seasoned collectors and those newer to the whiskey world. The Vaults 2024 is a reflection of that commitment to quality and innovation, offering a new way to experience bourbon through the lens of Amburana wood.
With the limited release of 24,000 bottles, Widow Jane The Vaults 2024 is expected to generate significant interest, both for its rarity and its unique flavor profile. For those lucky enough to get their hands on a bottle, it promises to be a tasting experience unlike any other, blending the best of aged American bourbon with the rich, tropical spices of Brazilian oak.
As October approaches and the bottles hit shelves, The Vaults 2024 will undoubtedly become a hot topic among whiskey enthusiasts, collectors, and critics alike. Whether it’s the allure of the Amburana wood or the skilled craftsmanship behind the blend, this release is sure to make waves in the whiskey community.
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About Widow Jane Distillery
Widow Jane Distillery, located in Brooklyn, New York, is a unique and craft-focused distillery known for its distinctive approach to whiskey production. The name "Widow Jane" is inspired by a legendary, pristine limestone mine in Rosendale, New York, known for its pure and soft water source, a key ingredient in whiskey making.
The distillery's commitment to using this pure limestone water in their whiskey production is one of the brand's defining features. They source water from the Widow Jane Mine, renowned for its exceptional quality, to create their signature spirits. This water, rich in minerals, plays a significant role in shaping the flavor and character of Widow Jane whiskey.
Widow Jane is primarily known for its bourbon whiskey, which is made using a high corn mash bill, typically around 70% or more. Their bourbon is aged in American oak barrels and is known for its rich, smooth, and complex flavor profile. The combination of the high-quality limestone water and aging process gives Widow Jane whiskey a unique and sought-after taste.
In addition to their bourbon, Widow Jane offers various expressions and limited releases, showcasing their dedication to experimentation and craftsmanship. The distillery's commitment to producing small-batch, handcrafted whiskey reflects the broader trend in the craft spirits industry, where consumers increasingly appreciate unique and locally sourced products.
Widow Jane Distillery's creative approach to whiskey-making, their use of pristine limestone water, and their dedication to producing high-quality bourbon have earned them a reputation as a notable player in the American craft whiskey scene. Their unique flavor profile and commitment to quality make them a standout choice for whiskey enthusiasts.
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