Widow Jane Lucky Thirteen

Widow Jane Lucky Thirteen is a New York bourbon bottled at 49.5% ABV. The label points to a 13-year age statement, which is long for a bourbon and the main thing separating it from the brand's younger releases. Bourbon aged that long usually shows deep oak influence: expect dark caramel, toasted vanilla, and baking spice from the barrel, along with some dry, tannic grip. The corn-based mash bill should supply a rounded sweetness underneath. That sweetness and the oak tend to sit closer together in older bourbons than they do in young ones. At just under 100 proof, it has enough strength to carry flavor without much burn. Try it neat first, in a Glencairn glass, whose tapered bowl concentrates the aromas of oak, vanilla, and caramel. Take a small first sip to let your palate adjust. If the alcohol dominates, add a few drops of room-temperature water. A little dilution loosens the tight, woody notes and often brings out fruit or sweeter grain character that the proof was hiding. A single large ice cube in a rocks glass also works if you want a slow, cool pour. It will mute some of the aromatics, though, so it suits sipping better than close tasting. In cocktails, an older, oak-forward bourbon is best in drinks that are mostly spirit. An Old Fashioned made with a sugar cube or a small measure of demerara syrup, two dashes of Angostura, and an orange peel lets the barrel character show. A Manhattan with a good sweet vermouth gives the same oak and spice a richer frame. A Whiskey Sour or a long Highball would bury most of what you paid for in an aged bottle. If you do make a sour, keep it simple, with fresh lemon and a restrained amount of syrup. Most people will find this bottle most rewarding poured straight, and a rocks glass is fine for casual sipping when a Glencairn feels fussy.