Widow Jane Distillery has unveiled Black Opal, its oldest whiskey released to date.
A limited release on strict allocation, it is a blend of rare bourbons, each aged for a minimum of 20 years. Head Distiller and Blender Sienna Jevremov tasted through more than 100 individual barrels, a multi-week process that yielded an initial sketch of what would become Black Opal. The barrels selected were blended and then the whiskey went through an extended finish in Mizunara oak. Like all Widow Jane whiskeys, Black Opal is proofed with limestone water from New York’s legendary Rosendale Mines resulting in a 99 proof spirit. This mineral-rich, yet sweet water delivers a full, round, lavish mouthfeel and long finish.
“The 20-year-old whiskey found in this project is like a hefty tome of an epic tale, at first it is daunting in its immensity but the rich characters and surprising unseen twists pull you in,” said Widow Jane Distillery Head Distiller and Blender Sienna Jevremov. “I chose one thread I found alluring and followed it to a whiskey that toys with bourbon’s sweetness, baking spice, and stone fruit. It has complex flavors of burnt sugar, smokey incense, herbal teas, and salted fruit. The Mizunara finish was a clear choice to achieve another layer that beautifully binds it all together. I advise you to take your time with each drop.”
Inspired by Widow Jane’s roots in Brooklyn’s industrial Red Hook, Black Opal is encased in a black steel box that features metal stamped branding and rivets that recall the neighborhood’s shipping and warehouse history. The bottle includes details like an internal jeweled texture that is revealed as the whiskey is consumed. Every bottle also comes with a limited edition, numbered fine art print featuring one of seven ‘insider’ views of Widow Jane Distillery.
A limited allocation of 5,000 bottles of Widow Jane Black Opal are available for $500.
