Templeton Midnight Rye
Overall Score: 6/10
Overall Value: 4/5
Distillery: Sourced from MGP
Classification: American Rye Whiskey Blend
Company: Infinium Spirits
Release Date: Spring 2024
Proof: 90
Age: NAS
Mashbill: Undisclosed
Color: Chestnut
MSRP: $35
The Barrel Bros’ Review
Templeton Midnight Rye presents a nice nose with a strong blend of port and rye profiles. We get notes of pine needles and Fig Newtons, complemented by a rich grape scent reminiscent of Captain Crunch Oops All Berries. Hints of butterscotch and dark port wine add to its richness and invite a promising start.
The palate begins with a buttery mouthfeel and a fleeting hint of blueberry. The Fig Newton profile from the nose continues, but the rye quickly takes over with its dominant pine woodiness. There are also subtle notes of plum and honey, though the port flavors are more muted than expected. The combination of rye and port doesn't harmonize well, resulting in a disjointed taste.
The finish is the weakest part of the pour, characterized by a strange and unpleasant flavor. The bitterness dominates, tasting like burnt popcorn and ash, which leaves a bad aftertaste. The port and whiskey seem to clash, rather than complement each other.
Templeton Midnight Rye, with an MSRP of $35, is a disappointing offering, especially when compared to Templeton 10 year. While the nose hints at potential greatness — bringing to mind Midwinter Night’s Dram — the palate and finish fall short, making it a less-than-ideal choice for sipping straight.
However, it could still serve as a decent mixer, particularly in a Manhattan, where its flaws might be masked. This rye doesn't live up to expectations, and its sale price reflects its lackluster performance. While port-finished ryes often excel, this bottle misses the mark, making it hard to recommend.
If you’re looking for specific notes from our Barrel Bros, read their individual reviews below!
Individual Reviews
The Rye Guy Says
Score: 6/10
Value: 4/5
THE NOSE:
The port profile and the rye profile are immediately apparent.
It reminds me of pine needles and Fig Newtons.
THE TASTE:
Buttery mouthfeel. There is a bit of what I would almost call blueberry for a few seconds.
Once again the Fig Newton profile continues from the nose.
However, after that, the rye dominates most of the palate with the pine woodiness.
THE FINISH:
This was the weakest part of the pour, the flavor was very strange.
It really feels like the port and the whiskey are not playing nice together. I was getting burnt popcorn.
BUY OR PASS?
I really wanted this bottle to be a home run. Port-finished Rye’s are some of my favorite bottles, so a port and rye blend sounded like it could work well.
Unfortunately, it’s not great. The nose plays like the bottle is going to be great, but the taste and finish really leave much to be desired. I do think this could make for a decent mixer in a Manhattan, but that has yet to be confirmed!
The Hunter Says
Score: 6/10
Value: 4/5
THE NOSE:
It’s got a strong grape scent that reminds me of Captain Crunch Oops All Berries.
There’s also a nice butterscotch note, and the dark port wine aroma comes through beautifully, making it smell rich and inviting.
THE TASTE:
There’s a slight sweetness, maybe a hint of plum, and a touch of honey.
Surprisingly, the port flavors don't come through as much as I expected.
The rye is there, but it's much more muted and doesn’t pair well with the port, which is a letdown after such a promising nose.
THE FINISH:
Unfortunately, is mostly a heavy bitterness that seems to come out of nowhere.
It tastes like ash, which is very unpleasant and leaves a bad aftertaste.
BUY OR PASS?
This pour is quite disappointing. I’m not sure if it’s the combination of rye with dark port wine or if Templeton is trying to cover up a bad batch of rye, but it just doesn’t work.
The $35 MSRP should be a clue that it’s not amazing — if it was amazing, they would have charged $90+. Despite the promising nose, the rest of the experience falls flat.
