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 Jane Distillery: Widow Jane Distillery Origin: Brooklyn, New York, USA Category: Blended Straight Rye Whiskey Expression: Apple Wood Rye Base Whiskey: Blend of Straight Rye Whiskeys Finishing: Toasted Applewood Staves Proofing Water: Limestone Mineral Water from Rosendale Mines, New York ABV: 46.5% (93 Proof) Bottle Size: 750ml Age 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.
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.
Subscription Terms & Conditions:
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.
Cancellation requests must be submitted before your next billing date. If your payment has already been processed, that month's subscription will still be fulfilled and dispatched.
Subscription payments are non-refundable once they have been successfully processed, except where required by applicable South African consumer protection laws.
In the event that a product becomes unavailable, Mothercity Liquor reserves the right to substitute it with a product of equal or greater value.
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