1 | Spirits | United States, 750 ml | Page 4

Do you want a dessert bourbon? Try this one; full, rich, thick vanilla/caramel sweetness on the palate, mellows into a long, soft finish.

"You might read the backstory of this whiskey - the company claims it's a Prohibition-era recipe and was Al Capone's favorite - and think this is just marketing-driven hooch, but that's far from true. Templeton is a well-balanced rye that's perfect for the holidays. It has a nose of mint and pine and delivers smooth butterscotch and allspice. A true winter warmer. Mr. Capone apparently had very good taste."
Wall Street Journal

A centerpiece of our Handpicked barrel program, this is one of the best bourbon values on the shelf. Excellent balance of bright spice and pepper with sweetness, depth, and a mellow finish.

"The nosing passes find distant scents of honey, baked bread, and corn meal. The palate entry is pleasingly balanced and not the least cloying; at midpalate the flavor profile features integrated tastes of honey, spice and lemon zest. Finishes clean, balanced and very enjoyable. The citrus element nicely counters the honey and the bourbon." 85-89 pts.

"Pleasant on the nose, sweet, toasty oak nose with caramel overtones... Tastes rich and creamy with seared-oak flavors; caramel and vanilla notes linger on the front of the palate, but it is still soft enough to hold on the tongue even at 94 proof, with a big mouth-watering oaky finish. Long with a little spice, staying forward on the palate without the bitter bite found in older whiskies."

"Bright copper color. Deep aromas of chocolate pecan turtles, cashew butter, olive, and brown spices follow though on a soft, supple entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with anise seed, pink peppercorn, and nutskin notes. Finishes with a creamy vanilla, talc, and peppery spice fade. A rich, elegant whisky." (1999 reviewed.)

"Dark gold. Light to medium bodied. Mild. Mandarin orange, toasted almond. Easy, delicate, very fruity style. A sensation of sweetness without being sweet."