Widow Jane Bourbon Lucky 13 750ML

Widow Jane Bourbon Lucky 13 750ML is a 13-year-old bourbon bottled at 93 proof (46.5% ABV) in a 750ml format, proofed with limestone mineral water from New York's Rosendale mines. This expression earned a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, a Double Gold at the TAG Global Spirits Awards, and 93 points from Whisky Advocate — a formidable collection of accolades that underscore its place among elite aged American whiskeys.

Quick Facts: ABV: 46.5% (93 Proof)  |  Origin: Sourced from Indiana, Blended in New York  |  Aged Minimum 13 Years  |  Distillery: Widow Jane / MGP of Indiana

Production & Heritage

Widow Jane operates out of Red Hook, Brooklyn, but the liquid inside Lucky 13 originates from MGP of Indiana — one of America's most respected contract distilleries. The bourbon is distilled from an undisclosed high-rye mashbill, then aged for a minimum of 13 years in hand-selected, charred American oak casks. What distinguishes the Widow Jane approach is the proofing stage: the whiskey is brought down to bottling strength using limestone mineral water drawn from the historic Rosendale mines in upstate New York, the same geological deposits that supplied material for the Brooklyn Bridge and the Erie Canal. This mineral-rich water contributes a subtle softness and distinctive mouthfeel that separates Lucky 13 from other sourced bourbons of similar age.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with thick butterscotch and vanilla bean, followed by layers of Earl Grey tea, sweet tobacco leaf, and bold cedar. Extended time in the glass reveals a subtle warmth of brown sugar and dried citrus peel.

Taste: The entry is rich and slightly viscous, delivering pecan pie sweetness and baked sugar that transitions quickly to grapefruit peel and orange zest at the mid-palate. As it develops, warmly spiced caramel and whole grain toast flavors emerge, balanced by a savory, almost nutty depth reminiscent of black walnuts.

Finish: Long and drying, with nutmeg, birch beer, and persistent oak tannin that lingers well after the sip. A faint echo of red dark cherry and caramel corn rounds out the closing impression.

How to Drink Lucky 13

At 13 years old and 93 proof, Lucky 13 delivers its full complexity neat or with a few drops of water to open the aromatics. Ice is acceptable but may mute some of the subtler tea and tobacco notes. For cocktails, its deep oak backbone and high-rye spice hold up remarkably well: try it in a Boulevardier, where its bittersweet caramel plays against Campari's herbaceousness; in a Black Manhattan, where Averna amplifies its nutmeg and cherry tones; or in a classic Old Fashioned, where the extended aging provides enough wood and spice that minimal sweetener is needed.

Best For

• Gifting a bourbon enthusiast who appreciates well-aged, sourced whiskey
• Anchoring a side-by-side tasting of 10-plus-year aged bourbons
• Celebrating a milestone occasion with a sip-worthy, award-winning pour
• Adding a premium aged bourbon to a home collection or whiskey library

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Lucky 13 taste like? Lucky 13 leads with butterscotch, pecan pie, and vanilla, transitions through citrus peel and baking spice, and finishes with drying oak tannin and nutmeg. It has a rich, slightly viscous texture consistent with well-aged high-rye bourbon.

How does Lucky 13 compare to George Remus Repeal Reserve? Both expressions draw from aged MGP bourbon stocks with high-rye mashbills, but Repeal Reserve is typically bottled at a higher 100 proof and uses roughly 12-year-old barrels. Lucky 13 carries a minimum 13-year age statement and is proofed with Rosendale limestone water, giving it a softer mouthfeel and slightly more developed oak character.

Is Lucky 13 good for sipping neat? Yes — its 93-proof bottling strength and 13-year maturity deliver significant complexity without excessive heat, making it an excellent neat pour. A few drops of water can further open up the tea and tobacco aromatics.

Where is Lucky 13 made? The bourbon is distilled at MGP of Indiana, aged in charred American oak casks, then blended and proofed at Widow Jane's facility in Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York, using limestone mineral water from the Rosendale mines.

What foods pair well with Lucky 13? Pecan pie or pecan pralines echo the whiskey's nutty sweetness; smoked brisket or pulled pork complements its oak and spice; dark chocolate truffles highlight its caramel and cherry notes; aged cheddar or Gruyère mirrors its toasted grain quality; and crème brûlée matches its baked sugar and vanilla profile.

What sizes does Lucky 13 come in? Widow Jane Lucky 13 is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Lucky 13 worth the price? Lucky 13 positions as a premium aged bourbon, competing against other 12-to-15-year expressions in a crowded market. Its Double Gold medals from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and TAG Global Spirits Awards, along with a 93-point rating from Whisky Advocate, suggest strong critical validation for the asking price relative to peers in its age tier.

Why Lucky 13?

In a category flooded with sourced bourbon, Lucky 13 distinguishes itself through the combination of extended 13-year aging and a finishing step that few competitors replicate: proofing with mineral-rich limestone water from the Rosendale mines, a geological resource with direct ties to iconic 19th-century American infrastructure. The results have been validated by critics — 93 points from Whisky Advocate, 94 points from Tastings.com, and Double Gold medals at two major international competitions. The high-rye mashbill contributes noticeable spice and structure that prevents the whiskey from becoming overly sweet despite more than a decade in oak. For drinkers seeking a genuinely mature bourbon with a verifiable point of difference in its production, Lucky 13 delivers substance behind the story.