Jane Apple Wood Rye

Features

Description

Applewood-finished rye whiskey from Brooklyn. And no, before anyone asks, they haven't just tipped apple juice into a barrel and called it innovation. Widow Jane Apple Wood Rye is a distinctive American whiskey produced by Widow Jane Distillery in Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York. Crafted from a carefully selected blend of straight rye whiskeys, this expression introduces an unusual finishing technique using toasted applewood staves to create a softer, more fruit-forward interpretation of traditional rye.

The whiskey builds on the foundation of Widow Jane's Paradigm Rye, combining the familiar peppery spice and herbal character of rye grain with the delicate orchard-fruit influence of applewood. During finishing, toasted applewood staves are introduced alongside the oak, encouraging the development of baked apple, citrus, subtle wood smoke and warming spice.

Importantly, the apple character comes from the wood itself rather than added apple flavouring. Like other Widow Jane expressions, the whiskey is proofed using pure limestone mineral water sourced from the legendary Rosendale Mines in upstate New York, an important part of the distillery's production identity.

Bottled at 46.5% ABV (93 Proof), Apple Wood Rye delivers a lively balance of fruit, spice and oak, with enough character to enjoy neat and a particularly interesting profile for classic whiskey cocktails. Tasting Notes Colour: Rich golden amber with warm copper highlights. Nose: Fresh apple blossom and gentle applewood smoke lead into warming rye spice, toasted oak and vanilla.

Hints of cinnamon and orchard fruit add a delicate sweetness. Palate: Baked apple and orange peel take centre stage, supported by caramel, vanilla and a lively undercurrent of peppery rye spice. The toasted applewood introduces additional fruitiness without overwhelming the whiskey's naturally dry, spicy character.

Finish: Medium to long, with lingering dried apple, blood orange, rye spice and a subtle woody warmth. Technical Details Brand: Widow JaneDistillery: Widow Jane DistilleryOrigin: Brooklyn, New York, USACategory: Blended Straight Rye WhiskeyExpression: Apple Wood RyeBase Whiskey: Blend of Straight Rye WhiskeysFinishing: Toasted Applewood StavesProofing Water: Limestone Mineral Water from Rosendale Mines, New YorkABV: 46.5% (93 Proof)Bottle Size: 750mlAge Statement: Non-Age Statement Awards & Accolades Gold Medal San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2020 93 Points Ultimate Spirits Challenge Why It's Worth a Look Widow Jane Apple Wood Rye is a fascinating example of how alternative wood finishing can influence a whiskey without resorting to added flavourings.

The toasted applewood brings a distinctly different dimension to the traditional rye profile, introducing orchard fruit and gentle smokiness while allowing the whiskey's natural peppery character to remain firmly in the picture. It's an excellent choice for rye enthusiasts looking to explore something outside the conventional American oak maturation playbook.

Enjoy it neat, over a large cube of ice, or in an Old Fashioned with orange bitters. Apple pie in whiskey form? Not quite. But it's a considerably more sophisticated way of getting apples and alcohol acquainted.