Widow Jane Paradigm Rye

The tasting notes are not strong on the aroma for batch #81 of 2023. Just some nice spring flowers and perhaps some freshly cut grass. Let it sit for 10 minutes and you will get more vanilla and caramel. On the palate, baking spices, cinnamon and pepper. And on the finish some spicy rye and black tea. This is very approachable and easy drinking. It would get a higher rating if it had more complexity and the tasting notes were stronger. At $50 for a Rye, that's pretty good, but at $50 I think I would prefer a small batch bourbon, right... comparing apples and oranges, but who can account for taste preferences? Widow Jane is owned by Heaven Hill in KY which gives them access to expertise and ages of tradition (since 1935), yet completely distilled in New York to keep that local feel (since 2012).

Tight, bold, spicy rye aroma with intense power. On the tongue, the entry is quickly sweet and smooth, then bursts into a rye explosion, with a rich and assertive character. A super long finish ending with a touch of molasses and full city roast coffee. This is an exceptional rye. Everything we look for in this style of whiskey is abundantly present. A fantastic spirit for sipping on a single, large rock, or used as the stunning base in a rye-based cocktail. We approve.

This one's brightness really does it for me. The baking spices are hitting the spot, but damn, the sweetness is intense!

Really good flavor and smooth. It might lack depth on the finish, but overall, it's very good.

Extremely light and smooth, doesn't taste like a rye; hints of apple, baking spices, and pie.

It didn't quite meet my expectations. A typical rye, though it had a little bite.