Templeton Rye Barrel Strength (2022 Edition)

Opened 2 months ago Aroma - Pralines, candied apple, dried tropical fruits, light dill, vanilla wafer, herbal tea, clove, and a hint of ethanol. Palate - Delicate and creamy caramel, peanut butter, green apple, dill, fresh mint, clove, cinnamon powder, ginger snaps, and dry oak. The finish is medium-long, with creamy oak, peanut brittle, baking spices, a strong herbal blend, and moderate ethanol. Soft, creamy, and refined are the three words I would use to describe this rye. To me, this drinks like an older, lower proof rye. It's not exceptional, but at $60, it's an excellent value. Many MGP ryes in this price range tend to be younger, hotter, peppery, and herbal, for instance, Stellum or James E. Pepper. This one is more elegant and smooth, comparable to Smooth Ambler. I would still choose a Smooth Ambler pick if I could only get one MGP rye under $60, but this is likely my second choice.

Nose: Mild sweet cinnamon, a faint floral/fruity orange blossom. Dry oak. There's an unusual musky/funky note, perhaps banana. Palate: Dry, sweet cinnamon with a tangerine zing, quickly followed by that classic peppery rye spice and a bit of heat. It fades into a moderately long, pleasant finish. Fruity and oaky on the back end with a slight floral note, quite enjoyable. It begins dry, but the finish becomes somewhat sticky and thick, prolonging the fruity/floral taste. I might hesitate to pay $60 for it, but it's close. I got this for $35 on clearance. I'd consider $45-$50 a fair price. Overall: One of the more complex Ryes I've encountered.

Celebrating the new year with a fresh bottle. Having enjoyed the 10-year offering, I anticipated another excellent product from Templeton. I must say, the updated bottle design is quite appealing and reflects the quality contained within…..a superior product. If you appreciate MGP and their rye expressions, this will undoubtedly appeal to you. Honestly, it was a bit intense initially, but after just a couple of weeks, it has already mellowed. As the professional assessment suggests, adding a few drops or a small ice cube greatly enhances its character! At its price point, I consider this an excellent value and would repurchase it frequently if encountered.

Bottle kill. This has truly evolved as I progressed through the bottle (with some help from my friends). It remains savory and spicy, but in the best way, with added sweetness. The notes of rye grass, eucalyptus, and dill, which aren't my favorite anyway, are still present but have been muted. The baking spices, vanilla, caramel, and sugar cookies are now more prominent. The ethanol and heat are mostly gone. It still finishes long with savory and spice notes, plus some vanilla and caramel. Makes an excellent old fashioned. I like this much more than I did when it was first opened.

Aroma - Wow, perhaps the least impressive rye aroma I've encountered yet. I'm detecting cinnamon, vanilla, dark berries, and a faint honey note. That's all. Taste - It mirrors the aroma but is definitely an improvement. There's a bit more of a rye character on the palate, and the finish is on the medium-long side. A significant amount of cocoa powder is present in the finish as well. The alcohol presence is pleasant. It lacks complexity, but the flavors are nicely balanced. Overall - The balance and flavor are good, but considering the price ($70-$80), it leaves much to be desired, to be honest. Recommendation - Sample it before purchasing.

This whiskey is savory and spicy, featuring notes of rye grass, eucalyptus, dill, baking spices, vanilla, black pepper, and sugar cookies. However, it carries an excessive amount of ethanol and heat for my preference. The finish is long, continuing with savory and spicy characteristics. I feel I ought to appreciate this more than I do.