The flagship of Detroit's Two James Distillery--a place that's totally worth checking out if you're ever in Detroit. What you've got here is high-rye LDI bourbon finished in madiera wine casks (a holdover until their own spirit comes of age; they've already got some young experiments on the market). What I like here is that it's not *just* another sourced whiskey; they're at least doing something a bit different with the red wine finish. Nose is recognizably LDI (think TinCup), but there's some nice winey nuttiness here; a bit of plum, fruit, syrup. Candied nuts? Baking spice and mulled wine. Some spirity ethanol. A bit thin in the mouth; first taste is a bit green, with that LDI nuttiness (similar to, but distinct from, Beam yeast nuttiness), but then there's that vinous sweetness, some red fruits, and solid rye spice. Finish is a bit chewy, with some fresh oak, dryness. The price on this one is high ($59.99 at the distillery), and the spirit feels a bit young--but the fundamentals are sound, and this is one I'm prepared to endorse (however tentatively) for the sake of supporting a really good local distillery in one of my favourite cities in the world. The 10-year reserve or the Cask Strength limited edition are certainly also worth investigating, though the price on them is . . . prohibitive.
About this bottle
Grass Widow Bourbon comes from Two James Spirits, the first distillery to open in Detroit, Michigan since prohibition. With the help of distiller David Pickerell, Grass Widow, named for a regional pre-Prohibition whiskey brand, is a sourced high-rye bourbon mash bill (36% rye, 60% corn, 4% barley) blend that was aged in new oak, then given a finish in ex-Madeira casks.
How it tastes
Measured across 14 flavor axes. Tap a note to find other bottles that lead with it.
Reviews
Showing the most detailed of 30 parsed reviews.
Nice flavor up front but finishes like water. Sort of like Jim Beam White that's been finished in a madeira cask. At $50 U.S. / bottle save your money and buy 2 bottles of Buffalo Trace.
The best I've had in my limited experience (I'm 45 but just finding my tastes for whiskey over wine). I can't justify the price however I have no doubt it is worth it.
Not much on the nose but this is an open air place with a breeze going through. Good rye bite and a pleasant burn. Enjoy it but the price point is steep.
It tastes and smells like an extremely young rye, both nose and palate are nothing but grass. I will revisit this bottle in a couple of weeks.
Wow. It's got that heat and spice goin on. Definitely worth the price. Visit the distillery in Detroit if you can.
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Tastes like this
Closest flavor profiles across the whole catalog.
