Templeton Reserve 10 Year Rye 750ML

Templeton Reserve 10 Year Rye 750ML is a single barrel, 10-year-aged straight rye whiskey bottled at 104 proof (52% ABV) in a 750ml format. Named "Rye Whiskey of the Year" at the 2025 London Spirits Competition, this expression also earned a Double Gold Medal at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition — a track record that underscores its standing among top-tier aged American ryes.

Quick Facts: ABV: 52% (104 Proof)  |  Origin: Lawrenceburg, Indiana / Bottled in Templeton, Iowa  |  10 Year Age Statement  |  Distillery: MGP (Lawrenceburg Distillers Indiana)

Production & Heritage

The Templeton brand traces its identity to Templeton, Iowa, a small town famously associated with Prohibition-era rye whiskey production. The Reserve 10 Year expression is distilled at MGP in Lawrenceburg, Indiana — one of America's most prolific and respected contract distilleries — using a mashbill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley. Each release is drawn from a hand-selected single barrel of charred new American oak, meaning no two barrels produce an identical whiskey; even the hue of the liquid shifts from barrel to barrel. After a full decade of maturation, the whiskey is bottled at a robust 104 proof without chill filtration dilution down to lower strengths, preserving the barrel's full influence.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with rich dark chocolate and vanilla bean, then unfolds into toasted oak, green apple, and dried apricot. There is a subtle warmth underneath that hints at the 104-proof intensity to come.

Taste: The entry is immediately dense — caramelized figs and dark chocolate arrive first, followed by a mid-palate that shifts unexpectedly toward chocolate chip mint and honeyed floral sweetness. Signature rye spice builds steadily, anchored by deep, dark oak tannins that reflect the decade spent in barrel.

Finish: Long, clean, and warming, with butterscotch lingering well after each sip. Charred oak and a faint peppery rye kick remain on the palate, making this a whiskey that rewards slow, deliberate drinking.

How to Drink Templeton Reserve 10 Year

At 104 proof, this rye is best approached neat in a Glencairn glass, allowing a few minutes of rest to let the higher proof settle and the aromatics open up. A few drops of water will coax out additional sweetness without diminishing the barrel character. For cocktails, the bold proof and concentrated flavor stand up exceptionally well in spirit-forward builds:

• Vieux Carré — The dark chocolate and oak depth marry beautifully with sweet vermouth and Bénédictine in this classic New Orleans sipper.
• Sazerac — The 95% rye mashbill and high proof deliver exactly the assertive backbone this absinthe-rinsed cocktail demands.
• Manhattan — Butterscotch and fig notes complement sweet vermouth, while the rye spice keeps the drink from tipping too sweet.

Best For

• Gifting a serious rye whiskey collector who values single barrel releases
• Anchoring a tasting flight comparing MGP-sourced ryes at different age statements
• Celebrating a milestone with a spirit that carries verifiable competition pedigree
• Building a high-proof Manhattan or Sazerac for experienced cocktail drinkers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Templeton 10 Year taste like? Templeton 10 Year leads with dark chocolate and caramelized fig, transitions through honeyed floral and mint notes at the mid-palate, and finishes with long, warm butterscotch and charred oak. It carries prominent but balanced rye spice throughout, supported by a decade of oak influence.

How does Templeton 10 Year compare to Redemption 10 Year Rye? Both are distilled at MGP in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, using the same 95/5 rye-to-malted-barley mashbill, making them close cousins by origin and age. The key difference is that Templeton 10 Year is a single barrel release bottled at 104 proof, while Redemption 10 Year Batch 002 is a barrel-proof batched product, so flavor variation and proof points will differ between the two.

Is Templeton 10 Year good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its 104-proof strength delivers concentrated flavor without being punishing, and the single barrel character rewards attentive, slow sipping. A small addition of water opens up additional sweetness for those sensitive to higher proof.

Where is Templeton 10 Year made? Templeton Reserve 10 Year Rye is distilled at MGP (formerly Lawrenceburg Distillers Indiana) in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and bottled in Templeton, Iowa. The brand draws its name and heritage from Templeton's historic association with rye whiskey during Prohibition.

What foods pair well with Templeton 10 Year? Dark chocolate truffles amplify the whiskey's cocoa notes; smoked brisket complements the charred oak backbone; aged Gouda or Gruyère mirrors the butterscotch sweetness; pecan pie echoes the caramelized fig and vanilla character; and charcuterie with dried fruit balances the rye spice with fat and sweetness.

What sizes does Templeton 10 Year come in? The standard release is available in a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely distributed format for this expression.

Is Templeton 10 Year worth the price? Templeton Reserve 10 Year positions as a premium single barrel rye, competing in a price tier alongside other decade-aged MGP-sourced releases. Its Double Gold Medal from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and "Rye Whiskey of the Year" recognition at the 2025 London Spirits Competition provide third-party validation that supports its premium positioning.

Why Templeton Reserve 10 Year?

What separates this release from the crowded field of MGP-sourced ryes is the single barrel selection — each bottle represents one specific barrel chosen for its individual merit, not a blended composite. A full ten years in charred new American oak at Indiana's temperature swings produces a level of wood integration and complexity that younger ryes from the same distillery simply cannot match. The competition record — Double Gold in San Francisco, Gold at the SIP Awards, and Rye Whiskey of the Year in London — puts it among the most decorated aged ryes currently available. For anyone serious about American rye whiskey, this is a verifiable benchmark expression at the ten-year mark.