Templeton American Whiskey announced on Thursday that it released its first rye whiskey distilled at its Iowa facilities, marking a major milestone for the brand. The barrel-proof whiskey features a mashbill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley. It has an MSRP of $49.99.
“We’re proud to introduce Templeton Single Barrel Rye — a whiskey crafted for our fans and connoisseurs alike,” said Global Commercial Senior Vice President at Infinium Spirits Shane Fitzharris in a statement. “This release embodies our spirit of innovation while honoring our rich heritage, setting a new benchmark for excellence in American whiskey. Every pour offers a remarkable expression of character and craft — no two barrels are alike, each with its own distinct personality and complexity.”
Templeton shares that this particular cask-strength rye is bold and warming, with well-integrated spice and oak. The whiskey clocks in at 117.1 proof, and those interested in picking up a bottle can visit Templeton’s website — but it’s available for only a limited amount of time.
(Photo: Templeton Distillery)
This release marks a huge achievement for Templeton, as the brand has experienced some ups and downs. In 2014, USAA reported that Templeton was on the receiving end of a class action lawsuit, where customers claimed that Templeton misled consumers with tales of its Prohibition-era origins.
The outlet reported that the Iowa whiskey brand’s founders claimed that they took inspiration from a family-owned Prohibition-era recipe that was beloved by Al Capone. Yet the company’s chairman claimed that regulations barred the company from using the recipe, and, to add insult to injury, the whiskey was sourced from Indiana instead of Iowa. The complaint alleged Templeton misled the customers with other branded merchandise that read “Templeton Rye: Made in Iowa.” The lawsuit was settled in 2015 according to the Des Moines Register, though the terms were not made public.
The brand made numerous changes to its marketing strategy, and changed its labels to disclose that its whiskey was distilled in Indiana. Templeton has come a long way since the legal filings, and admittedly it does take time for a fledgling whiskey brand to distill and age its own juice.
Needless to say, Templeton’s latest release signifies a homecoming for the brand, and a return to its origin story.
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