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Widow Jane is releasing one of its rarest and longest aged bourbon

By Christopher Osburn Sep 25, 2026 4:00 PM

Widow Jane Opal — Widow Jane

Recently, Widow Jane Distillery announced the re-release of one of its rarest, longest-aged bourbons. It’s called Black Opal, and this limited release blends bourbons matured for at least two decades. It’s named for one of the world’s rarest gemstones.

Widow Jane Opal

The second edition of Widow Jane Black Opal Bourbon is crafted from a blend of bourbons, each aged a minimum of 20 years before being finished for 13 months in old-growth Mizunara oak casks. The whiskeys included were distilled in Tennessee and Kentucky before finishing the aging process in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Head Distiller and Blender Sienna Jevremov hand-picked the barrels after sampling more than 50 barrels.

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According to Widow Jane, the result is a memorable, complex 99-proof whiskey that opens with notes of toasted vanilla beans, candied orange peels, espresso beans, sea salt, and florals. The palate is centered on caramelized sugar, rock candy, Manuka honey, white miso, bean paste, frankincense, and chocolate-covered orange peels. The finish is long and warm, ending with a combination of sugar-roasted root vegetable, cinnamon gelato, cocoa powder, coffee beans, blackstrap molasses, and chocolate mint. The folks at Widow Jane suggest drinking this epic whiskey neat or with a splash or two of water to let the spirit open up and reveal its aromas and flavors.

“For the 2026 Black Opal, I was excited to explore how much more the Mizunara could bring to these 20-year-old whiskies with additional time in the cask,” says Jevremov.

“Compared with the last release, this is a longer finish, and you can really see that in the way the Mizunara has settled into the whiskey, bringing more sandalwood, incense, and a soft, savory spice without losing those beautiful fruit notes. There’s still that deep, mature character you want from a whiskey of this age, but it feels bright and alive, with the Mizunara giving it another layer to unfold.”

Where can I buy it?

Widow Jane Black Opal will be available at whiskey retailers in select markets beginning this October for the suggested retail price of $500 for a 750ml bottle. For more information on this release and all whiskeys from the brand, visit https://widowjane.com/.

Christopher Osburn is a food and drinks writer located in the Finger Lakes Region of New York. He’s been writing professional Read Full Bio

Topics

Liquor, Beer, Wine & Drinks

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