About the author

Scott Bernard Nelson

Reporting and writing has taken Scott Bernard Nelson all over the world, giving him an opportunity to cover everything from 9/11 to an Olympic Games to the invasion of Iraq. These days, he’s retired from daily journalism but still enjoys talking with interesting people and writing fun stories. When he’s not dabbling in short fiction or screenplays, you’ll probably find Scott rock climbing or fly fishing in the Pacific Northwest – and, whenever possible, drinking great whiskies.

Whiskey Review: Templeton Rye Aged 6 Years

American
Reviews
By Scott Bernard Nelson / September 28, 2021

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by Templeton Distillery. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link towards the bottom of this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.

Templeton Distillery began bottling its four-year-old rye in 2006. It wasn’t until a few years later that it started laying down barrels intended to age longer. So the six-year rye is a newer expression, debuting only in 2016. Templeton, though, quickly started calling the newer sibling its flagship release.

Regardless, it’s made the same way as the four-year, starting with a base rye from MGP Ingredients and then adding undisclosed flavoring until it tastes like the distillery believes Prohibition-era predecessors would have in the area around Templeton, Iowa. It’s eventually proofed down and bottled in Iowa.

A new full-service distillery in Templeton is scheduled to begin bottling in the next year or two, which will get the brand out of the sourced-whiskey business. In the meantime, the flavoring component is why neither the four-year nor the six-year can be labeled as straight ryes. As flavored whiskies, they’re allowed to add up to 2.5% by volume of flavorings or other additives.

On the one hand, this might help differentiate Templeton ryes from the many other brands slinging MGP whiskey on the market. On the other hand, it’s probably enough to make whiskey purists a little bit skeptical.

Where you fall on that question is ultimately up to you. What matters most, in any case, is how a whiskey tastes. I recently reviewed the 4-year-old Templeton Rye, and found it okay for the price point. Here, we’re stepping up to the six-year.

Templeton Rye Aged 6 Years (image via Debbie Nelson)

Templeton Rye Aged 6 Years (image via Debbie Nelson)

Tasting notes: Templeton Rye Aged 6 Years  

Vital stats: Mash bill of 95% rye and 5% barley; 45.75% alcohol by volume/91.5 proof; aged six years in charred new American oak; $40 for a 750ml bottle. Templeton, Iowa.

Appearance: Tawny color, slightly darker than its four-year-old sibling; legs stick to the side of the glass more, too.

Nose: Relatively sweet, bringing to mind puff pastry made into cream cheese danishes. Just a dash of rye spice. The wood comes through with butterscotch and vanilla.

Palate: The rye jumps right out of the bottle with a surprising boldness, but it doesn’t last long. It also doesn’t bring the grassy flavor than I find in many other ryes. Brown sugar, apple pie, cinnamon and coconut fill out the mid-palate, and then it eases into a long, nutmeg and charred oak finish. The mid-palate and finish accentuate the sweetness.

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