Templeton Rye Barrel Strength (2018 Edition)

Open 2 months Nose - Dill, caramel, maple syrup, citrus oil in household cleaners, nutmeg, allspice, light eucalyptus and anise, medium oak and ethanol. Palate - Caramel, maple syrup, cinnamon toast, light dill, and lemon peel. Long, oily finish with strong baking spice and herbal notes, anise, dill, dry tannic oak, and medium ethanol. The shift in flavors from mid-palate to the finish is excellent. Am I a bad person for buying this? Maybe. But it was on clearance in Total Wine, $20 off retail because it had been sitting on the shelf for years. I took a chance, and conflictions abound because this is really good MGP rye. It hits that sweet spot of dill, baking spice, citrus, and syrup without leaning too heavily in one direction. The closest comparison on nose/palate is Rabbit Hole Boxergrail, which isn't MGP but is 95/5 mashbill. I think Old Scout Rye Cask Strength is the best MGP expression I've had, this is second place.

Man wish I would have read other review prior to getting this one and would have picked up Elijah Craig barrel proof instead after learning backstory on Templeton. Nevertheless, owner of store kinda sold me saying it was rare and had just got case in so brought me a bottle out of the back. It’s a very good rye and I’m not a huge rye fan. Wouldn’t put ahead of Pikesville but definitely worth trying. Get all the notes up front of citrus, spice, cloves. Very unique nose, something in there I can’t “put my nose on”. On the pallet get cloves, burnt/ candied orange peels and a nice spicy big red,allspice, peppery finish.

Light, bright brass color. Plentiful but slow running legs. Lots of spices, tart fruits and an almost resinous, hop-like character on the nose. Soft, mid sized mouthfeel. Finish is mid length, but wild with action: pine notes, spices and intense floral and citrus. A bit of a butterscotch backbone throughout helps balance it a bit. Solid value, for sure! This will make an amazing rye old fashioned. Confirmed that it makes a great old fashioned on 9.24.21

Just buy this and enjoy it. You will not be disappointed. It seems that the Templeton master distillery hand picks and blends together the best barrels in their warehouse that were originally sourced from MGP . All varying ages used and a yearly release. Obviously I have done a bit of digging as I wanted to know more. One of the best Ryes I have ever had.

nose: grass and fruit with a little bit of oak. unfortunately I also smelled a slight bit of acetone as well taste: grass, fruit, strong kick at the end from the high proof. goes down smooth after that initial kick. finish: short finish, not as spicy as the 6 year rye. mostly spice and a little bit of oak at the end.

Dill pickle. Intensely herbal. Cloves. Anise. Very hot even for 114.4 proof. Bandaid and sweetness late in the finish. I'm into MGP rye and rye whiskey in general but this didn't resonate with me. UPDATE: Original review 3.5 stars on 4/15/19. Revisited on 8/13/22.