I would like to personally thank all of those who attended our distillery open house earlier this month. It was a huge success with an estimated 1,200 people coming from as far away as Chicago, Denver, Arizona and Michigan for a tour of our expanded distillery. Some of you surprised us by coming a little early and we appreciate you waiting patiently.

Thanks also for all of the kind words and encouragement. We were happy to witness the excitement for what we are doing and it makes the hard work we put into planning and construction well worth it. We would especially like to thank Dave Schoeppner of Schoeppner Construction for his excellent craftsmanship and great patience. The place really looks great and we are proud to have built it with local partners in Western Iowa.

For those of you who were not able to make it, we would love to have you come by. Please contact kevin@templetonrye.com to set up a tour.

Thanks again,
Keith Kerkhoff, Assistant Master Distiller, Templeton Rye

Photo credit: Mandy Miller Photography

Photo credit: Mandy Miller Photography

Below: Click to watch a live acoustic performance of Templeton Rye by The Nadas from the open house.

We recently opened our distillery doors to area media and state and local elected officials in conjunction with the Templeton and Carroll Area Development Corporations.

The luncheon was catered by The Still, and Templeton Mayor Ken Behrens, TADC President Nick Romey, CADC Executive Director Jim Gossett and Templeton Rye President Scott Bush shared remarks with the crowd of approximately 75 people. Guests toured the facility and had an opportunity to label a bottle of TR, see our new tasting room and try a little of The Good Stuff straight out of the still.

Pictures from the event can be viewed here. After pitching in with the daily distillery duties, we all landed in the tasting room for a sample and some shopping. We definitely need to put in an order for some more TR gear — it was flying off the shelves!

Steve Long from KPTV Fox 44 in Sioux City did a segment on the event, which you can view below:

Templeton Rye was proud to help sponsor the Mods VS. Rockers party this past weekend at Delilah’s on Lincoln in Chicago. Mike Miller has put together one of the country’s largest and most unique motorcycle rallies wth an assortment of Vespas, Triumphs, BMWs and lots of modified scooters parked along Lincoln Avenue. Our own Jason Walsmith took some great pics, which you can view on Flickr.

The rally ended at 5:00 but the fun just switched gears. With the Templeton Rye bus leading the way, everyone kick-started their ride and headed over to the grand opening of the Bottom Lounge at 1375 W. Lake. We enjoyed a fish and chips dinner and watched the Chicago premiere of the motorcycle film Brittown. We also got a sneak peak of the new lounge and music venue which are very impressive.

Friday, June 27th

Join us Friday June 27th at the Hy-vee Wine and Spirits on 4707 Fleur Drive from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Meryl and TR president Scott Bush will be signing bottles of “The Good Stuff” and you will have an opportunity to say hello and stock up on TR. If you have questions, please contact Ryan at 515-285-7266.

Thursday, July 10th

Templeton Rye is proud to announce it’s first Eastern Iowa bottle signing! Join us at the Iowa City staple John’s Grocery and meet President Scott Bush and Assistant Master Distiller Keith Kerkhoff July 10th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. They will be available to sign bottles of “The Good Stuff” and share some laughs. John’s Grocery is located on the corner of Market and Gilbert Streets in downtown Iowa City. For more info, contact Bill at bill@johnsgrocery.com or 319-337-2183.

Saturday, August 9th

There will also be a signing on August 9th from noon to 4:00 pm at Gold Eagle Liquors, 255 Petersen Road, Libertyville, Illinois. For more information please call 847-367-6000.

Charles Hanson from Odebolt, Iowa, wrote to us with the following story:

When I was a youngster living in Odebolt, my dad and uncle enjoyed fishing in Blackhawk Lake. One evening in the 1930s they were trying their luck on the northeast area of the lake and not finding any kind of bait that the fish were taking.

They had tried worms and several artificial lures to no avail. Dad unwrapped a cigar and even tried using the cellophane wrap as a “fly” lure. Again - no takers. My uncle saw a snake with a frog in it’s mouth and tried to take the frog. The snake held tight. My uncle had visited the bootlegger before going to Blackhawk Lake and had a bit of TR in his tackle box.

He poured a couple of drops of TR in the snake’s mouth and the snake coughed out the frog. While they were casting about 20 minutes later, dad felt something brush his leg and there was that snake with another frog in its mouth! I am now 85 years old, and some of the particulars are a bit dim in my memory, but the “facts” are as true as I can make them!

Thanks Charles — we loved the story!

Nicole of Chicago sent us this nice note along with a new TR recipe:

Just writing to tell you about my favorite use of Templeton. I discovered it because I was in Binny’s and asked the manager about the most proper way to make a Manhattan and he insisted I use your product and I needless to say I love it. During the summer I am a big iced tea drinker so I thought I’d see how the two get along and it’s fantastic … refreshing yet suspicious!

The Ryce-Tea Manhattan
1 tall glass of fresh brewed sun tea
Distilled ice cubes
1 & 1/2 oz of Templeton Rye
1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth
Splash of bitters
Slice of orange or lemon for garnish