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I've seen more interest in other whisk(e)y variants, in my experience. Rye and bourbon in particular have a lot to offer these days in terms of high quality, in

by zedpm 12y ago

I've seen more interest in other whisk(e)y variants, in my experience. Rye and bourbon in particular have a lot to offer these days in terms of high quality, interesting bottles. Templeton Rye[0] in particular is a great sipping whiskey I turn to when I'm not in the mood for scotch. But you're right that there is a whole, wide world of high quality drinks to explore. High-end rum, tequila, even gin have a lot to offer in terms of slow, thoughtful consumption. [0] http://www.templetonrye.com/home/ http://www.templetonrye.com/home/

tptacek 12y ago
Templeton is evil. Try Few, if you're looking for a similarly-priced Rye that isn't an MGPI product, or if you're looking for the same juice as Templeton at a more reasonable price, try High West or Bulleit. You should avoid Templeton just because of the douchebag factor.
- swasheck 12y ago
  By "same juice" are you referring to the same (MGPI) stock? It's a bit unclear on the first read of your comment, but I've found High West to be a nice Rye so I'd certainly agree with the suggestion.
  - jonnathanson 12y ago
    Yes, High West and Bulleit are MGPI. My understanding is that by "same juice," he meant "also from MGPI," but at a lower markup.
    - swasheck 12y ago
      Thanks. Reading through the user's posts, they seem to know the topic but I just wanted to make sure I was understanding correctly.
- zedpm 12y ago
  Interesting and disappointing news regarding Templeton. I'm going through some of the reading on the subject now. Thanks for the suggestions for alternatives.
  - nemo44x 12y ago
    Another great rye you might try is "Rittenhouse Rye 100". It's great neat or with a splash of water/1 cube or in an Old Fashioned (I always use rye in my old fashioned's).
- jonstewart 12y ago
  My business partner is originally from the Templeton, IA area. Apparently there are still private citizens making "real" Templeton rye illegally in their barns. He had some over the holidays and reported it to be spicier than the TR brand whisky. TR is a bit disingenuous, but not evil. It's a decent tasting product run by a small company in the middle of nowhere; certainly it was damn near impossible to get rye a few years ago and TR's marketing helped to change that. But like most whiskies, take the marketing with a demijohn of salt. +1 to Willett.
  - tptacek 12y ago
    Willett is good but as it was pointed out to me upthread I had my signals crossed with Weller. :) Regarding Templeton, here's a decent reported source: http://chuckcowdery.blogspot.com/2014/10/templeton-tale-gets-curiouser-and.html http://chuckcowdery.blogspot.com/2014/10/templeton-tale-gets...
    - jonstewart 12y ago
      You weren't wrong that KBD makes Willett, though. Elmer T. Lee and Eagle Rare, both very good, also come from Buffalo Trace, although they're apparently not wheated like the Weller. I read several years ago that Templeton bought its rye from a distillery in Indiana and it wasn't much of a secret that it wasn't distilled in Iowa. So, maybe not the MGP name was known, but the name is kind of meaningless.
      - kasey_junk 12y ago
        I think the big problem with Templeton is that most of the NDP brands tell a good story, and discourage people from looking too deeply from where they came, Templeton is getting litigious with it. Further, they are walking a very tight line with regard to what additives they are using. In some places they are adamant that they are following "traditional" processes, and in others they happily invoke the additive to side step allegations of fraud/false advertising. Personally, I have no problem with NDP brands, and think that the mixing of the various ingredients goes a long way to determining the quality of the final product. So even coming from a distillery in Indiana is not a problem (or even having a compelling Col. Sanders character sell your sauce). But Templeton really does take it to another level. Not sure if that level is "evil" or not. But certainly douchbaggy.

by zedpm 12y ago

tptacek 12y ago

Templeton is evil. Try Few, if you're looking for a similarly-priced Rye that isn't an MGPI product, or if you're looking for the same juice as Templeton at a more reasonable price, try High West or Bulleit. You should avoid Templeton just because of the douchebag factor.

swasheck 12y ago
By "same juice" are you referring to the same (MGPI) stock? It's a bit unclear on the first read of your comment, but I've found High West to be a nice Rye so I'd certainly agree with the suggestion.
- jonnathanson 12y ago
  Yes, High West and Bulleit are MGPI. My understanding is that by "same juice," he meant "also from MGPI," but at a lower markup.
  - swasheck 12y ago
    Thanks. Reading through the user's posts, they seem to know the topic but I just wanted to make sure I was understanding correctly.
zedpm 12y ago
Interesting and disappointing news regarding Templeton. I'm going through some of the reading on the subject now. Thanks for the suggestions for alternatives.
- nemo44x 12y ago
  Another great rye you might try is "Rittenhouse Rye 100". It's great neat or with a splash of water/1 cube or in an Old Fashioned (I always use rye in my old fashioned's).
jonstewart 12y ago
My business partner is originally from the Templeton, IA area. Apparently there are still private citizens making "real" Templeton rye illegally in their barns. He had some over the holidays and reported it to be spicier than the TR brand whisky. TR is a bit disingenuous, but not evil. It's a decent tasting product run by a small company in the middle of nowhere; certainly it was damn near impossible to get rye a few years ago and TR's marketing helped to change that. But like most whiskies, take the marketing with a demijohn of salt. +1 to Willett.
- tptacek 12y ago
  Willett is good but as it was pointed out to me upthread I had my signals crossed with Weller. :) Regarding Templeton, here's a decent reported source: http://chuckcowdery.blogspot.com/2014/10/templeton-tale-gets-curiouser-and.html http://chuckcowdery.blogspot.com/2014/10/templeton-tale-gets...
  - jonstewart 12y ago
    You weren't wrong that KBD makes Willett, though. Elmer T. Lee and Eagle Rare, both very good, also come from Buffalo Trace, although they're apparently not wheated like the Weller. I read several years ago that Templeton bought its rye from a distillery in Indiana and it wasn't much of a secret that it wasn't distilled in Iowa. So, maybe not the MGP name was known, but the name is kind of meaningless.
    - kasey_junk 12y ago
      I think the big problem with Templeton is that most of the NDP brands tell a good story, and discourage people from looking too deeply from where they came, Templeton is getting litigious with it. Further, they are walking a very tight line with regard to what additives they are using. In some places they are adamant that they are following "traditional" processes, and in others they happily invoke the additive to side step allegations of fraud/false advertising. Personally, I have no problem with NDP brands, and think that the mixing of the various ingredients goes a long way to determining the quality of the final product. So even coming from a distillery in Indiana is not a problem (or even having a compelling Col. Sanders character sell your sauce). But Templeton really does take it to another level. Not sure if that level is "evil" or not. But certainly douchbaggy.