Widow Jane Baby Jane Bourbon 750ML

Widow Jane Baby Jane Bourbon 750ML is a 91-proof (45.5% ABV) small-batch bourbon built around a proprietary heirloom corn variety, bottled in a 750ml format. Winner of Best in Show and Gold at the Great American International Spirits Award in the American Craft Whiskey category, this expression stands as one of the most distinctive grain-forward bourbons currently produced in the United States.

Quick Facts: ABV: 45.5% (91 Proof)  |  Origin: Brooklyn, New York / Kentucky  |  NAS (Young Bourbon)  |  Distillery: Widow Jane Distillery

Production & Heritage

Widow Jane Distillery operates out of Red Hook, Brooklyn, with bourbon production spanning both New York and Kentucky. The defining ingredient here is the namesake Baby Jane corn — a proprietary hybrid of Bloody Butcher Red and Wapsie Valley Yellow heirloom varieties that took four years to establish as a sustainable crop for whiskey production. Each batch is hand-assembled just a few barrels at a time, non-chill filtered, and proofed with mineral water drawn from the legendary Rosendale mines of New York, a limestone-rich source that imparts a distinct mineral backbone to the spirit.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Salty air and green grape open the nose, followed by layers of honeycomb and cream soda. There is a subtle warmth underneath that hints at spicy cornbread, reinforcing the heirloom grain's presence from the first sniff.

Taste: The entry is immediately sweet and textured — strawberries-and-cream taffy and salted caramel dominate early, giving way to fresh fig and allspice at mid-palate. A café au lait richness builds toward the peak, creating a creamy-spicy depth that feels more complex than the bourbon's young age might suggest.

Finish: Medium-long and layered, with peach compote, star anise, and a soft pretzel savoriness. Lingering notes of horchata and milk chocolate trail off alongside a dry, cut-hay quality that keeps the sweetness in check.

How to Drink Baby Jane Bourbon

Neat or with a few drops of water is the ideal starting point — the non-chill filtered body opens up meaningfully with slight dilution, revealing more of the grain character. A single large ice cube also works well, tempering the spice without muting the caramel sweetness.

• Old Fashioned: The salted caramel and fig notes anchor beautifully against bitters and a citrus peel, creating a richer, more textured version of the classic.
• Whiskey Sour: Baby Jane's strawberry-cream sweetness complements fresh lemon juice, resulting in a balanced, dessert-leaning sour.
• Brown Butter Old Fashioned: The horchata and milk chocolate finish pairs naturally with brown butter fat-washed preparations, amplifying the bourbon's inherent creaminess.

Best For

• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who values unique grain provenance over age statements
• Side-by-side tastings exploring how heirloom corn shapes bourbon flavor
• Craft cocktail experimentation where a creamy, spice-forward base spirit is needed
• Adding a conversation piece to a home bourbon collection

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Baby Jane Bourbon taste like? Baby Jane Bourbon leads with salted caramel and strawberries-and-cream taffy, moving into allspice and fresh fig, with a finish marked by peach compote, horchata, and milk chocolate. The overall profile is creamy, sweet, and grain-forward with a savory mineral edge.

How does Baby Jane Bourbon compare to a Buffalo Trace barrel pick? Both sit in a similar proof range and deliver caramel-forward profiles, but Baby Jane leans significantly more toward creamy, grain-driven sweetness thanks to its heirloom corn mashbill, while Buffalo Trace barrel picks tend to emphasize classic oak tannin structure and vanilla. Baby Jane's non-chill filtered texture also gives it a noticeably heavier mouthfeel at a comparable proof point.

Is Baby Jane Bourbon good for sipping neat? Yes — the non-chill filtered body and moderate 91-proof strength make it approachable neat, and the heirloom corn character delivers a level of complexity that rewards slow sipping. A few drops of water further unlock the honeycomb and fig aromatics.

Where is Baby Jane Bourbon made? Baby Jane Bourbon is produced by Widow Jane Distillery, headquartered in Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York, with bourbon production also taking place in Kentucky. The spirit is proofed with mineral water from the Rosendale mines of New York.

What foods pair well with Baby Jane Bourbon? Spicy cornbread mirrors the heirloom corn character directly. Salted caramel desserts and peach cobbler complement the bourbon's dominant sweetness. Blue cheese provides a savory counterpoint to the cream and fig notes, while dark chocolate truffles echo the milk chocolate finish.

What sizes does Baby Jane Bourbon come in? Baby Jane Bourbon is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Baby Jane Bourbon worth the price? Baby Jane positions as a premium craft bourbon, priced above mainstream shelf standards but justified by its proprietary heirloom corn, small-batch assembly of only a few barrels at a time, non-chill filtration, and mineral water proofing — production choices that are genuinely uncommon in the category.

Why Baby Jane Bourbon?

The single most compelling fact about this bourbon is the grain itself: Baby Jane corn is a proprietary hybrid of Bloody Butcher Red and Wapsie Valley Yellow heirloom varieties that required a four-year agricultural development program before a single barrel could be filled. That commitment to ingredient provenance is exceptionally rare in American whiskey. Recognized as World's Best Bourbon under two years old and awarded Best in Show Gold at the Great American International Spirits Award for American Craft Whiskey, Baby Jane proves that age is not the only measure of quality — grain character, mineral water sourcing, and non-chill filtered bottling create a bourbon that earns attention on its own terms.