I like what Widow Jane Distillery in Brooklyn, New York is producing these days. They are now part of Heaven Hill Distillery and have access to a lot of very good whiskey. The other day, I saw a bottle of the Paradigm Rye on the shelf and I picked it up. I am glad I did. Matt and I sat down to taste it the other day and here are our tasting notes.
Widow Jane Paradigm Rye
Proof: 93
Age: No Age Statement
Nose:
- Mike: Rye grass, vanilla, pears, baking spices and oak wood.
- Matt: Rye grass, vanilla, honeysuckle blossoms, cinnamon and oak wood.
Taste:
- Mike: Rye grass, vanilla, pears, citrus, cinnamon, nutmeg, and oak wood. Tasted with a dried cranberry and white pepper spice comes out to join the party. Tasted with a pecan and caramel and black pepper come forward.
- Matt: Rye grass, vanilla, honey, raisins and oak wood. The dried cranberry added a touch of mint to the flavor. The pecan brought out cinnamon and nutmeg spice.
Finish:
- Mike: Medium long with oak wood, cinnamon and lingering citrus. The dried cranberry made it longer with oak wood and white pepper. The pecan made it long and dry with oak wood and lots of black pepper.
- Matt: Medium long with rye grass, oak wood and lingering raisin. The dried cranberry added a touch of mint to the finish. The pecan, made the finish long and dry with oak wood and cinnamon.
I would pair this fine rye whiskey with a cigar that has some cedar spice and tobacco in the smoke. I would reach for a NUB Habano cigar.
Photos Courtesy of Rosemary Miller