This was my first “high rye, 95/5” rye whisky and one of my first rye whiskies. Sourced from MGP with a mash bill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley, it’s aged for four years in Iowa by Templeton Distillery in charred 1st-fill American White Oak barrels and bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV).
This tasting notes review is based on multiple separate tastings using Stölzle Lausitz Whiskey Nosing and Glencairn glasses with varying aeration times over 11 months.
COLOR: Gold
AROMA PROFILE: Lemon & sweet pineapple, hints of oak/barrel, light baking spices & a pine note, citrusy vanilla – Rolling the whisky around the palate brings out a smooth dark chocolate – The ethanol is light as is the overall aroma profile.
PALATE: Black pepper, dried baking spices, & rye spice (chiefly cinnamon & cloves) start the sip followed by dark cherries & cherry skins, dark raw honey, & smooth dark chocolate – There is tropical fruit sweetness (pineapple & tropical citrus), but the sweetness mostly translates as that dark raw honey mixed with black pepper & rye spice with the sweetness & spice mixing well. The finish has strong oak/barrel notes with black pepper, cinnamon, & cloves with a vestige of that sweetness & a floral note.
FINISH: Medium (6-7 seconds)
MOUTHFEEL/VISCOSITY: Medium in the glass & on the palate
VALUE: Classic 95/5 rye at a, in my market, sub-$40 price point
ALWAYS ON SHELF/BUY AGAIN? Unsure – but this isn’t a negative statement on this bottle – I’m just not sure it’s one of my favorite ryes now that I’ve tried more. However, this is a great value for the price point for both sipping & cocktails.
Based on my positive reaction to this bottle, I have bought a bottle of the distillery’s 6-year-old rye whisky finished in extra añejo tequila barrels.
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