Templeton Rye Barrel Strength (2018 Edition)

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

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.

Noses sharper and spicier than the 10 year, scents of a rain soaked field. The forward flavors are sharper with a peppery heat, hints of roasted corn.

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.