The Whiskey Reviewer A World of Whiskey, Poured Every Weekday
By Richard Thomas
Rating: B
Templeton Rye 6 Year Old
(Credit: Richard Thomas)
Templeton Rye, the former poster boys for deceptive whiskey marketing, have been around long enough that they have been able to keep back some of MGP 95% rye stock for further aging. The result has been a 10 year old anniversary release last year (made using some “good stuff” they kept from their original consignment from Indiana), and their 6 year old expression.
Starting in 2010, when the rye craze was just starting to take off, Templeton began holding back new whiskey for longer aging. Presumably they continued to do so every year after that, because Templeton 6 Year Old is full, regular brand extension rather than a limited edition. The extra aging isn’t the only plus. Whereas the regular whiskey is an 80 proof item, this one is a 91.5 proof bottling.
The Whiskey
The look of this older, stronger Templeton is that of bright copper, and a swish and coat of the glass positively runs with legs. The nose comes out with butterscotch up front, then combining floral sweetness with pumpernickel rye spice. The palate is fruity and brown sugar sweet, seasoned with cinnamon and apple mint, coming across really as something like a candied bomb. Or it would be a candied bomb, were it not for the hint of toasty oak that comes up at the end. The finish continues that vein of sweet cinnamon before fading to, what to me anyway, was an almost dill-like note.
If you like Templeton Rye’s spin on MGP’s 95% rye, you must have this. It’s a bolder and more sophisticated improvement on the original, and at only a modest increase in price.
The Price
This item is listed with online retailers for between $45 and $50.
