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Templeton Rye

Average score from 4 reviews and 4 ratings 81

Templeton Rye

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@markjedi1
Templeton Rye

The label says ‘prohibition era recipe’, in which they refer to the original Templeton Rye that was distilled in Iowa at the beginning of the previous century and was very popular in the speakeasies in Chicago and Kansas City. It is even said that this was Al Capone’s drink of choice. Today, however, it is produced at MGP (Midwest Grain Products) Indiana, a factory that produces for private labels. Typically American: a class action suit followed and in 2015 the producers had to remove the ‘prohibition’ line as well as ‘small batch’ from the label and add the fact that it was ‘distilled in Indiana’. The company then decided to actually build a Templeton Distillery in Iowa and the first own production of Templeton Rye is scheduled to hit the shelves in 2022. I will try an older – Indiana produced – bottle.

The nose is a mix of nuts, red licorice candy, candy floss, vanilla, marshmallow and brown bread. Not bad if it weren’t for that artificial note underneath that I can neither pinpoint nor appreciate.

The body is very light, almost watery. What a pity. Honeysweet on candied fruit and candy, upholstered with a bit of cloves, cinnamon and white pepper.

The finish is short and soft.

Probably one of the softest rye whiskies I have tried so far. No bite whatsoever. Very accessible but also very candy-like. I would have expected the legendary bootlegger Al Capone to have more taste. But then again, it probably tasted very different back then.

@hunggar

Here’s a rye I’d never heard of, although it’s well known in the Midwestern US. The whisky boasts a 95% rye content. It’s made by MGP in Indiana, famous for its bulk sales of quality spirits to distillers and bottlers alike. Templeton has been in some legal hot water with regards to labeling and transparency in the past, it seems. We won’t get into that, but I did read up on their situation. In the process I was interested to learn that after they source their whiskey they add flavouring to it. Even more interesting is that this is legal in the States if no more than 2.5% of the whiskey is adulterated, so long as the product isn’t labeled as “straight” bourbon or rye. Anyway, I’m from Canada, so who am I to pass judgment on a flavoured whisky with a disingenuous label? Ahem...

Nose: A gentle, rye-forward nose. Rye, spearmint, fennel, cream soda, cola, clove, vanilla, caramelized fruit, and oak.

Palate: Arrives gently, with an unexpectedly thick mouthfeel. Rye, spearmint, cinnamon, dill, orange soda, raisins, and caramelized fruit.

Finish: Straight as an arrow, and quite long. Rye, vanilla, orange candy, sweet oranges, ginger ale, raisins, oak, woodspice, and clove.

Thoughts: This is good quality rye for sure. I’m reminded of some of the Willett’s bottlings made from MGP, albeit much lighter and less herbal. Despite its low abv, the bite from the rye and the vivid flavours do compensate for its 40%. Orange candy, rye, vanilla, and spearmint are very much in sync here. If you hadn’t noticed, I referenced four different kinds of soda throughout the review, so you’d be right in assuming that this is on the sweet side of American rye. Speculation, but I believe this is a result of the flavouring (no, not from ACTUAL soda). While I don’t appreciate unlisted additives in my whiskey, this is really quite nice. Good for sipping, and better still for cocktails. A decent, reasonably-priced flavoured whiskey.

Apologies, it seems I've doubled up this review. If admin would kindly remove one.

@hunggar

Here’s a rye I’d never heard of, although it’s well known in the Midwestern US. The whisky boasts a 95% rye content. It’s made by MGP in Indiana, famous for its bulk sales of quality spirits to distillers and bottlers alike. Templeton has been in some legal hot water with regards to labeling and transparency in the past, it seems. We won’t get into that, but I did read up on their situation. In the process I was interested to learn that after they source their whiskey they add flavouring to it. Even more interesting is that this is legal in the States if no more than 2.5% of the whiskey is adulterated, so long as the product isn’t labeled as “straight” bourbon or rye. Anyway, I’m from Canada, so who am I to pass judgment on a flavoured whisky with a disingenuous label? Ahem... Nose: A gentle, rye-forward nose. Rye, spearmint, fennel, cream soda, cola, clove, vanilla, caramelized fruit, and oak. Palate: Arrives gently, with an unexpectedly thick mouthfeel. Rye, spearmint, cinnamon, dill, orange soda, raisins, and caramelized fruit. Finish: Straight as an arrow, and quite long. Rye, vanilla, orange candy, sweet oranges, ginger ale, raisins, oak, woodspice, and clove. Thoughts: This is good quality rye for sure. I’m reminded of some of the Willett’s bottlings made from MGP, albeit much lighter and less herbal. Despite its low abv, the bite from the rye and the vivid flavours do compensate for its 40%. Orange candy, rye, vanilla, and spearmint are very much in sync here. If you hadn’t noticed, I referenced four different kinds of soda throughout the review, so you’d be right in assuming that this is on the sweet side of American rye. Speculation, but I believe this is a result of the flavouring (no, not from ACTUAL soda). While I don’t appreciate unlisted additives in my whiskey, this is really quite nice. Good for sipping, and better still for cocktails. A decent, reasonably-priced flavoured whiskey.

X

The color is a light golden brown. Nose is woody (oak) with a hint of vanilla. The taste is also woody with some floral notes. Very smooth, without any bite. The finish is fairly long with a lingering taste. Proud to get a bottle, as they don't produce much and it is generally sold as fast as it gets to distributors.

Yes, definitely smooth...and spicy. Being from Iowa, this is one of my favorites and is always in the cabinet at my house. They are getting more and more coming of age and into bottles all the time. Their cult status could soon be in jeopardy.

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