Appearance: Copper, reddish. It has the look you'd expect of a bourbon that aged 12 years. Nose: The oak was inescapable on this pour. Varnished wood shines through. There is a slight sweetness almost hidden in the nose, but that varnished wood, that dark charred oaky note mixed with pepper and spice are just inescapable. Taste: For my taste this whiskey is over oaked. I prefer aged whiskies that balance spice and oak with sweet vanilla, butterscotch, toffee and maple flavors. For me the Widow Jane 12 brings flavors of raw varnished oak to the table with no sweetness to balance. Finish: Medium. More oak...the oak never stops with this one. Sampled this one in a flight neat in a glencairn. I imagine people who prefer over oaked, dry, tannic whiskies will love this one. It's not for me.