Templeton made its fashionable identify within the late aughts with sourced rye, a tribute to the model’s pre-Prohibition heritage. It wasn’t till 2018 that they started distilling their very own whiskeys, together with Fortitude Bourbon, which debuted earlier this yr as the corporate’s first house-distilled expression and its first bourbon providing. Named to honor the 352 resilient residents of the distillery’s hometown, Templeton, Iowa, Fortitude is produced from a uniquely excessive rye mashbill of 55% corn, 40% rye, and 5% malted barley, a minimum of a few of which (the corn) is reportedly sourced regionally from farmers inside 15 miles of the distillery campus. Templeton provides up fairly a bit of information within the press launch together with fermentation time (3-4 days), yeast pressure (fermintis safspirit), and barrel char (Stage 4). We’re even instructed the stills are made by Forsyths. What we don’t get is an age assertion outdoors of the straight designation, so we are able to solely presume that is 4 years previous. Let’s test it out.

The aroma is gentle – no shock given the proof – however it’s nonetheless attractive, which is actually one thing that may’t be stated for lots of younger bourbons. It’s grain-forward however not gritty or sharp, with a delicate vanilla cream sweetness, some minty rye spice, and barrel-driven accents of cinnamon sugar and recent oak. The palate is spherical and fairly balanced, skewing maybe a bit of too candy for some drinkers. Notes of corn pudding and cream soda are accented with a light-weight dusting of cinnamon candies, clove chewing gum, and maraschino cherry. It’s not an enormous rush of taste – the proof wouldn’t actually enable that – however the steadiness of approachability and taste is well-struck. The end is a contact skinny and to the purpose, however that’s nearly forgiven as notes of white pepper, cherry cookies, and lemon pound cake saved me dipping again for an additional easy-drinking sip. It’s an altogether respectable and pleasing inaugural home providing from Templeton, and one whose evolution within the coming years we’ll be curious to observe.

92 proof.

B+ / $40

Templeton Fortitude Bourbon

$40