Templeton Bourbon Fortitude (75cl, 46%)

A high-rye bourbon from Templeton Distillery in Iowa, bottled at 46% ABV in a 750ml bottle without chill filtration. It is distilled, aged and bottled in Templeton, using corn from farms within 15 miles of the distillery. The mashbill is 55% corn, 40% rye and 5% malted barley, far more rye than most bourbons use, and the spirit matures in charred new American oak. Caramel, vanilla and cinnamon sugar mark the nose, with minty rye spice. On the palate honey and toasted oak give way to rye spice, white pepper and a cherry-cookie note, in an oily texture. The finish is warm and moderately long, with lemon pound cake and charred oak.