Widow Jane Decadence Bourbon Balances Sweet and Savory Perfectly

BOTTLE DETAILS

• DISTILLER: Unnamed distilleries from Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee, but bottled by Widow Jane Distilleries
• MASH BILL: "A blend of straight bourbon whiskeys."
• AGE: Not disclosed
• YEAR: 2025
• PROOF: 91 (45.5% ABV)
• MSRP: $99.99
• BUY ONLINE: Flaviar or Caskers

STEVE'S NOTES

SHARE WITH: At the very least, fans of soft, sweet and lower-proof pours. (Check out Pops Garrett's commentary centered on lower-proof pours.) For whiskey drinkers who like pairing their pours with sweets, this is a dandy.

WORTH THE PRICE: Not for me. While this is really enjoyable, I don't lean toward sweeter flavor profiles such as this, so I'm not feeling it at $100. Given Decadence's well-earned cult following, though, many won't think twice about dropping a Benjamin on it.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bar. For me, this is a little like Chicago-style pizza: a little goes a long way. It's definitely sweeter than most whiskies I prefer, but it's not cloying or, as the Brits say, "treacley." But if I'm out for an indulgent dinner and the dessert menu features something that would pair well with Decadence, I'm ordering it.

OVERALL: I'm simple. I drink and eat what tastes great. I don't wait for a particular season or delay having something until a campfire sounds like a great idea. But since so many do and since the brand notes below mention "crisp air and longer nights," I'll play along and say, yes, this would be swell around a fire.

Especially since the nose includes aromas like marshmallow, candy bar chocolate and charred oak. You're halfway to a s'more just by smelling it. The nose is inviting and expressive with dried cherry and raisin, along with lemon curd and pie crust. Despite the whiskey's rest in an ex-maple syrup cask, that aroma was so far in the background that I ventured to the kitchen for a whiff of Crown Maple Syrup to be sure my snoot wasn't off. It was a good re-reference, but returning to the whiskey didn't make me any more sensitive to it–and that might be by design ...

... since there's a nice dose of it on the palate. Maple syrup doesn't lead, but it harmonizes well with oak, baking and rye spices. It is pleasantly rich and soft, slightly honeyed and accented with a touch of milk chocolate. The balance between sweet and spicy is precisely dialed in, so don't hesitate to pair it with sweets. To prove my point, take a sip and work the spirit around your mouth to trigger some Red Hots candy tingle.

The finish is light and does not linger like you might expect with such rich mouthfeel. That it departs quickly is a proper, "My work here is done" mic drop moment, and I like that.

BRAND NOTES

“Decadence was crafted for the season when crisp air and longer nights invite us to slow down and enjoy life’s richer moments. Its velvety, indulgent flavor profile is a natural fit for this time of year, when gatherings grow cozier and we treat ourselves to something special. Decadence is meant to be savored in those moments of celebration,” says Susan Wahl, Vice President of American Whiskey for Heaven Hill Brands.

• Nose: Sugared pecans, maple, birch beer, charred oak
• Palate: Vanilla, burnt sugar, cinnamon bark
• Finish: Brown sugar, shortbread, mellow tobacco, old whiskey; delivers a slightly sweet, creamy-rich mouthfeel and lingering finish

Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.