Templeton Rye Barrel Strength (2018 Edition)

Opened 2 months Aroma - Dill, caramel, maple syrup, citrus oil reminiscent of household cleaners, nutmeg, allspice, mild eucalyptus and anise, moderate oak and ethanol. Taste - Caramel, maple syrup, cinnamon toast, mild dill, and lemon peel. A long, viscous finish with prominent baking spice and herbal notes, anise, dill, dry tannic oak, and moderate ethanol. The evolution of flavors from the mid-palate to the finish is superb. Is it wrong of me to have purchased this? Perhaps. But it was on discount at Total Wine, $20 under retail because it had been on the shelf for years. I took a gamble, and mixed feelings arise because this is a genuinely good MGP rye. It hits that sweet spot of dill, baking spice, citrus, and syrup without being overly dominant in any single profile. The closest comparison in aroma/taste is Rabbit Hole Boxergrail, which isn't MGP but uses a 95/5 mash bill. I consider Old Scout Rye Cask Strength to be the finest MGP bottling I've had, this is a close second.

I wish I had checked out other opinions before buying this, and would have gone for Elijah Craig barrel proof instead, especially after learning the story behind Templeton. Regardless, the shop owner convinced me, saying it was uncommon and had just arrived in a case, so he retrieved a bottle from the back. It's a really good rye, and I'm not typically a big rye enthusiast. I wouldn't rank it higher than Pikesville, but it's certainly worth a try. All the initial notes are citrus, spice, and cloves. The aroma is quite distinctive, with something in there I can't quite identify. On the palate, I detect cloves, burnt/candied orange rinds, and a pleasant spicy Big Red, allspice, and peppery finish.

Light, bright brass color. Plenty of slow-moving legs. Lots of spices, tart fruits, and an almost resinous, hop-like aroma. Smooth, medium-bodied texture. Finish is medium in length but very dynamic: pine notes, spices, and intense floral and citrus flavors. A subtle butterscotch undertone throughout provides some balance. Definitely a good value! This will make an outstanding rye old fashioned. Confirmed it makes a great old fashioned on 9.24.21

This is a must-buy; you'll be pleased. It appears the Templeton head distiller selects and combines the finest casks from their inventory, originally sourced from MGP. All different ages are incorporated, and it's released annually. I clearly did some research because I wanted additional details. One of the top Ryes I've ever tasted.

Aroma: grassy and fruity with a hint of oak. Unfortunately, I also detected a faint smell of acetone. Taste: grassy, fruity, with a strong kick at the end due to the high proof. It goes down smoothly after that initial impact. Finish: a short finish, not as spicy as the 6-year rye. Primarily spice and a little oak at the conclusion.

Tastes like dill pickles. Extremely herbaceous with notes of clove and anise. It's quite spicy, even for 114.4 proof. A band-aid flavor and sweetness appear toward the end of the finish. While I enjoy MGP rye and rye whiskey broadly, this particular one didn't connect with me. UPDATE: My initial rating was 3.5 stars on 4/15/19. I tried it again on 8/13/22.