Templeton Rye Barrel Strength (2019 Edition)

Appearance: Pinkish-gold with watery, rapid legs. Nose: Alcohol fumes, dill, and the scent of saltwater candy. The aroma is quite subtle. Palate: It starts with a strong medicinal character, similar to rubbing alcohol. This definitely tastes immature, with a touch of cocoa. The taste is somewhat fuller than the smell, but it feels weak to me. It requires more aging. Finish: Fleeting and unsatisfactory. The medicinal flavor lingers! Overall- It's not the absolute worst rye I've tried, but it's nowhere near the top. It's youthful and carries a noticeable rubbing alcohol note that I can't overlook. Many superior options exist within the same price bracket, such as Old Forester Rye, Wheel Horse, and WT101 Rye, all priced under $30 and considerably better than this expression.

After researching this one, it seems Templeton specifically selects their best barrels each year from the aging warehouse. The ages of the barrels used change annually but are reportedly between 6 and 12 years old. Perhaps this knowledge influenced my opinion, but I found it fantastic. Adding a small amount of water allowed me to find the ideal point for the alcohol by volume to suit my preferences. Exactly what a cask strength straight rye whiskey should be. A great discovery.

Smell: has some signature dill pickle, grassy notes, maybe a touch of oak Taste: it has a good amount of mint, tastes fairly young, my guess is under 4 years or right at that mark, a little bit of rye spice and that grassy note again. The finish is long and minty as well Overall I'd give this one about an 81, it's pretty young but well executed. Sometimes a youthful rye hits the best notes. Although for the price point I'd prefer James E. Pepper rye or the James E. Pepper Cask Strength for a fraction of the cost.

Neat" "0-1: Awful. What mixers can I use with it to cover it up 2: So-so. Simply not my taste, nothing to be excited about at all 2.5: Sub-par. I'll drink it... but only because it's whiskey. 3: Good. Decent stuff, but I won't buy it again 3.5: Very good. I might buy again 4: Excellent: Will be purchasing a bottle immediately 4.5: Incredible: top of the purchase list 5: Amazing: cost and taste are worth every cent

My son, who typically favors rye, visited for Christmas from NC. We intended to purchase something different, but this caught our attention. The flavor profile was spicy, but perfectly so. Smooth enough for sipping, but we added a single ice cube, and it was delightful. Give it a try; you won't be disappointed.

Simply a fantastic smooth beverage. The rye possesses a great flavor and isn't overpowering. I consume Crown, Gentleman Jack, Eagle Rare, Maker's Mark, and Four Roses, and I would rank this above some of them. Just an all-around solid drink.