Brooklyn rye with a tropical streak, a little oak experimentation and enough spice to remind you that this is still very much an American whiskey.
Widow Jane Rye Mash American Oak Aged is a distinctive whiskey produced by Widow Jane Distillery in Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York. Crafted from a mash bill consisting predominantly of rye with a small proportion of barley, this expression takes an unconventional approach to maturation, emphasising the naturally sweet, grassy and floral characteristics of rye grain.
Rather than relying exclusively on traditional new charred oak barrels, the whiskey is matured in previously used bourbon barrels fitted with freshly cut American oak staves. This technique introduces additional wood influence while retaining a lighter, more fruit-forward character than many conventional rye expressions.
The result is a particularly interesting combination of rye spice, honey, citrus and tropical fruit, with notes of vanilla, caramel and toasted oak providing richness and structure.
As with Widow Jane's other expressions, the whiskey is proofed using limestone mineral water sourced from the historic Rosendale Mines in upstate New York. It is also bottled without chill filtration, preserving the natural texture and character of the spirit.
Bottled at 45.5% ABV (91 Proof), American Oak Aged offers a softer, fruitier interpretation of rye whiskey without abandoning the warming spice that makes the category so enjoyable.
An excellent sipping whiskey, although its balance of sweetness, fruit and spice also makes it particularly well suited to classic cocktails.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Golden amber with warm copper highlights.
Nose: Clover honey, orange peel and black tea lead into cardamom, vanilla and subtle tropical fruit. Hints of pineapple, dried fruit and toasted American oak add further complexity.
Palate: Rounded and expressive, opening with brown sugar, maple syrup and vanilla before developing into white pepper and warming rye spice. Notes of apricot, toasted almonds and sweet oak balance the underlying grain character.
Finish: Medium to long, with lingering dried peach, almond biscuit and gentle peppery spice. A pleasantly dry oak influence provides a clean, structured conclusion.
Technical Details
Brand: Widow Jane
Producer: Widow Jane Distillery
Origin: Brooklyn, New York, USA
Category: American Whiskey Distilled from a Rye Mash
Expression: American Oak Aged
Mash Bill: Predominantly Rye with a Small Proportion of Barley
Maturation: Previously Used Bourbon Barrels with Fresh American Oak Staves
Minimum Maturation: 2 Years
Proofing Water: Limestone Mineral Water from Rosendale Mines, New York
Filtration: Non-Chill Filtered
ABV: 45.5% (91 Proof)
Bottle Size: 750ml
Batch: #79
Why It's Worth a Look
Rye whiskey has a reputation for being bold, peppery and occasionally rather aggressive. Widow Jane American Oak Aged takes a slightly different route.
By combining previously used bourbon barrels with fresh American oak staves, the distillery creates a whiskey that retains the distinctive spice of rye while introducing a surprisingly generous amount of fruit, honey and vanilla.
The result is particularly appealing to bourbon drinkers looking to explore rye without immediately being punched in the palate by black pepper.
It's also an interesting comparison alongside Widow Jane's Apple Wood Rye, allowing enthusiasts to explore how two different wood-finishing approaches can influence a similar rye-based spirit.
Enjoy it neat, over a large cube of ice, or in a Manhattan with a quality sweet vermouth.
Alternatively, use it in an Old Fashioned. Brooklyn might have perfected the hipster, but at least they know their way around a decent whiskey.
Delivery within South Africa:
All orders are delivered from our central warehouse located in Montague Gardens, Western Cape. Local orders are usually delivered in 0-2 working days. Orders outside of Cape Town but within SA are generally delivered within 2-5 working days. If you require expedited delivery, we now offer an Express delivery service, which typically takes 1-3 working days, depending on your area.
While we strive for timely deliveries, there are occasional instances where delays may occur. These are rare but can happen due to unforeseen circumstances.
Delivery Rates:
At checkout, you will be presented with delivery options and corresponding rates. These rates are provided directly by our courier partners and are displayed as is. On rare occasions, a courier may generate an incorrect delivery rate due to issues with the address recognition. In such cases, we will arrange for an alternative courier to deliver your order at a similar rate to the original cost.
We believe in offering transparency in our delivery fees and, as such, do not include any delivery costs in our product pricing. We do not profit from delivery fees.
Third-Party Couriers:
For the majority of our orders, we rely on third-party courier services for delivery. Regular notifications will be sent and on the day of delivery the couriers will notify you via sms, call or email . If the courier is unable to reach you, we will get in touch with you to arrange an alternative solution.
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If there is something wrong with your product, we will gladly issue a full refund of 100% of your purchase amount. To process this, please reach out to us at info@mothercityliquor.co.za as soon as possible, and we will guide you through the refund process.
Order Cancellations:
If you need to cancel your order, simply email us at info@mothercityliquor.co.za, and we’ll assist you with the cancellation process. Please note, cancellations will incur a small fee of 10%, which covers the transaction fees we incur for processing each order. If your order has already been shipped, please be aware that the shipping fee is non-refundable.
Consignment Orders:
We do not offer consignment stock or consignment deals.
Returns:
If you find that there is an issue with your product, you are eligible to return it to us. Here’s how you can initiate the return:
- Email us at info@mothercityliquor.co.za to notify us of your intent to return the product. We will then guide you through the process.
- Our returns policy is valid for 7 working days from the date of delivery. Unfortunately, if 7 working days have passed since the delivery of your purchase, we cannot offer a refund or exchange.
- To be eligible for a return, the item must be unused and in the same condition as when you received it. It must also be in its original packaging. A 10% Fee will be charged on returns, unless the product was damaged or incorrectly supplied by Mothercity Liquor.
Return Shipping & Delivery Fees
Please note that original shipping or delivery fees are non-refundable. Where a refund is approved, the refund will apply to the eligible returned product(s) only and will exclude any shipping or delivery charges paid on the original order.
Unless the return is due to an incorrect, damaged, or defective product supplied by Mothercity Liquor, the cost of returning the product(s) to us is the responsibility of the customer. Customers are responsible for arranging and paying for return shipping and for ensuring that the products are securely packaged to prevent damage in transit.
We strongly recommend using a trackable and insured courier service when returning products. Mothercity Liquor cannot be held responsible for returned goods that are lost or damaged while in transit to us.
Where Mothercity Liquor supplied an incorrect, damaged, or defective product, we will arrange or cover the reasonable cost of returning the affected product, subject to the terms of our Returns Policy.
Exceptions to Returns:
Sale or Special Offer Items: Only regular-priced items are eligible for a refund. Unfortunately, items purchased on sale or as part of a special offer cannot be refunded.
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- By purchasing a Subscription, you agree to recurring automatic payments based on your selected delivery frequency (monthly, every 2 months or every 3 months etc).
- Your subscription will automatically renew and your payment method will be charged on the same calendar day as your original purchase until your subscription is cancelled.
- Minimum Commitment: Subscription pricing includes a discounted rate and therefore requires a minimum commitment of two (2) deliveries. Cancellation requests will only be accepted after your second subscription box has been successfully delivered.
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