Widow Jane Whiskey Distilled From a Rye Mash Oak & Apple Wood Aged

Color: Looks like cloudy orangeade. Aroma: A burst of fruit, highlighted by floral and sweet citrus notes. Subtle spices are present in the background. Palate: A tart pink apple flavor at the start, with hints of fennel and grassy, floral notes. Baking spices and rich vanilla enhance the fruit, similar to a cobbler or apple pie. Finish: Smooth and creamy, leaning more towards sweet than spicy. When diluted: Tart green apple skin notes become prominent in the aroma. The palate shows more influence from the barrels, with light sweet caramel and a touch of cinnamon. The finish becomes shorter and thinner, but with a more pronounced fruitiness.

The aroma is straightforward, featuring apple, cinnamon, and light oak. The use of applewood during aging is evident, with tart apple on the initial taste, transitioning to warmer, baked apple notes in the mid-palate and finish. A few sips reveal a hint of orange and more cinnamon. It's noticeably younger with a smoother finish than anticipated for a rye. Despite these later nuances, it remains heavily apple-forward, which limits its complexity.

The color is brassy and the texture is rather viscous. The aroma is full of rye's spiciness and fruity hints. There's a distinct aroma of a farm and significant wood presence. It evokes a spiced German apple pastry, with caramel-coated Granny Smith apples and grains included. The palate is soft and provides a gentle warmth throughout. It leaves a lingering stickiness in the back, resulting in a satisfying finish. This could nearly rival the rum-aged rye from a specific producer.

This whiskey displays a clover honey color, with thick, watery legs descending the glass. The aroma is green and fruity, beginning with faint nail polish, green pine, green apple, dill, and sawdust. The taste is thin, dry, and fruity, specifically with apple and pear, fruit gushers, and strawberry. The conclusion is brief, hot, and tangy, with a mango flavor.

This tastes like pure pine resins, which is unfortunate. I enjoy the other items from Widow Jane, but this is a terrible product. Perhaps it's just my perception, but fellow drinkers and I believe this Rye is a waste of a respected brand.

A perfect harmony of spice and sweet apple. You get a nice brown sugar flavor, but it's not overwhelming. It's very easy to drink. If you offered it to someone, I think they would remark positively on its uniqueness!