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Chef Michael’s – July’s Private Stock Bourbon Highlight

by | Jul 8, 2023 | Wine and Liquor

“Unveiling the Timeless Elegance: A Deep Dive into Widow Jane 10-Year Bourbon”

Introduction

It is the liquid itself that holds its luxurious value. The Widow Jane 10 Year is straight bourbon whiskey from New York that has been aged to perfection for ten years in the American Oak barrels to season the finished taste of this flavorful bourbon. Our blog is to give our guests a VIP tour of bourbon’s magnificent flavors and qualities.

Widow Jane 10-Year Bourbon bottle with poured glass

The Origins and Legacy of Widow Jane Bourbon

Widow Jane Distillery is located in Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York. Founded in 2012. Widow Jane Distillery is a distillery like no other. Their secret to mastering perfection in every sip of their decadent bourbon is in the water. Widow Jane Distillery uses limestone mineral water found in the Rosendale mines of New York.

Limestone is known worldwide for its strength. Many of the buildings we walk by are made out of limestone. One very famous limestone architecture building is the White House. Widow Jane Distillery uses this limestone mineral water to distill its bourbon to capture the strength of New York in every sip.

Tasting Notes and Flavor Profiles

The Widow Jane 10-Year Bourbon has a unique aroma. A mixture of sweetness and sophistication all bundled in one. Maple and charred oak are the stars of this comforting smell from the American oak barrels that once held crown maple syrup.

First impressions of the bourbon, many can detect notes of vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg spice, and caramelized sugar. The glowing amber bottle can make anyone feel at home with hints of warmth and sweetness.

The Aging Process and Maturation

Aging is so important in the bourbon process. So many factors go into creating a classic, good aged bourbon. A highly important factor is the wood used to make the bourbon barrels. Over time, the wood flavors become infused with the spirit creating that sophisticated aroma. The longer the bourbon is aged, the richer it becomes. Aging is used to soften the strength of alcohol to make it a more favorable taste to savor.

It takes ten years for Widow Jane to achieve its smooth flavor. Over the years, alcohol starts to simmer and becomes a more mellow taste when savored. With Widow Jane being stored in American oak barrels slowly over time, the liquor becomes infused with the essence of the lumber, creating a smoky charred taste to this special spirit.

MJs Pairing and Enjoyment

Chef Michael suggests a couple of meals that merge perfectly with this aged bourbon choice. One exquisite meal that was destined to be is the New York Strip, with melted French Affinois brie and Raspberry Au Poivre sauce. The dish paired with the Widow Jane 10-year is the definition of savory and sweet.

Michael John's Prime New York strip au Poivre with triple cream French Fromager d’Affinois Brie and Raspberry Au Poivre sauce

Another favored dish is our flavor-filled filet mignon and complimentary potato puree and vegetables. The herb seasoning from the filet and the notes of sweetness from the Widow Jane compliments each other exquisitely.

Filet mignon with vegetables

Notable Awards

Widow Jane Bourbon has won gold outstanding in bourbon for six years and Double Gold in San Francisco Spirits Competition and Great American International Spirits Competition. As well as won gold and best in class for over five years at World Whisky Awards Bourbon.

Conclusion

Whether you are a bourbon connoisseur or a novice exploring the realm of spirits, the Widow Jane 10 Year is more than just a drink—it’s a luxurious experience, a masterpiece that transcends the ordinary, and an authentic taste of New York captured in each sip.

Hemingway Rye 1st Edition: “Hemingway Rye 1st Edition: A Masterclass in Bourbon Appreciation”

The Birth of Hemingway Rye

Hemingway Rye goes all the way back to before Kentucky was even a state. Three families came together, the Calls, the Groths, and the Hemingways. These families, with a lineage of master distillers, gathered together and combined all their traditions, lessons, and secrets to create Hemingway Rye, a bourbon unlike any other on the market.

Hemingway Rye - 1st edition

With more than 230 years of whiskey-making experience and counting as their sons continue the family tradition with master distiller genes living through them. You can taste the years of hard work and success in this rich bourbon.

Appreciating Hemingway Rye: The Connoisseur’s Lens

Hemingway Rye 1st Edition combines 94% 9-year-old Indiana Straight Rye Whiskey and 6% 4-year-old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey. This 100-proof whiskey is stored in Oloroso Sherry Casks to give the bourbon a nutty spice finish. Hemingway Rye 1st Edition is distilled in Beaver Dam, Kentucky, home of Hemingway.

Hemingway Rye

Hemingway Rye’s dark amber bourbon contains all the extravagant features a connoisseur looks for in a bourbon. From the looks, aroma, and taste, the bourbon exceeds perfection. Hemingway Rye 1st Edition has a sweet aroma to it. With smells of sweet caramel and brown sugar mixed with light notes of soft rye and vanilla.

To the palate, a connoisseur can detect hints of creamy caramel and fruity undertones. Since the bourbon was finished in rum-seasoned Oloroso Sherry Casks, a slight cinnamon spice adds flavor to this luscious liquor.

MJs Hemingway Rye 1st Edition Food Pairings

Two popular dishes complement this sweet liquor perfectly on Michael Johns’ menu. Michael Johns’ Raspberry and Port Wine Glazed Duck pair flawlessly with the Hemingway Rye. Combining the duck and drink is the definition of the correct amount of sweet and savory. The sweetness from the raspberry glaze and the notes of cherry melt right in your mouth. The complimentary potato puree and mixed vegetables balance out the candied flavor.

Michael John's Raspberry and Port Wine Glazed Duck

Another dish that is a match made in heaven is the Filet Pinot. The Filet Mignon’s Dijon and bleu cheese crust with its Raspberry-Pinot Noir reduction sync harmoniously with the aromas and taste of the Hemingway Rye 1st Edition. The sweetness from the bourbon and the savoriness from the Dijon bleu cheese crust melts in your mouth.

Michael John's Filet Pinot

Conclusion

Hemingway Rye 1st Edition holds a distinctive thread in the grand tapestry of bourbon history. An amalgamation of heritage, expertise, and refined taste, it is a testament to over 230 years of whiskey-making traditions passed down through generations.

About Michael John’s (MJs)

Established in 2006, Michael Johns, or MJ’s as its local following knows it, is a fine dining Top Sarasota/Manatee French-American Steakhouse restaurant that serves beer, wine, cocktails, and hearty food. One of Bradenton’s best steak restaurants, Michael John, prepares house-aged Iowa, USDA Prime cuts of beef, and incredibly fresh local seafood.

At Michael John’s, it’s about food— and company—and the enjoyment of both. Bon Appétit. Michael John’s is where our guests’ genuine care and comfort are our highest mission. We pledge to provide the finest personal service for our guests, who will always enjoy a warm, relaxed, yet refined ambiance.

Michael John's Restaurant

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