Ron Hodne from Manning, Iowa, talks about his Chicago connections to Templeton Rye during the Prohibition Era.
View more stories on YouTube at our Templeton Rye channel.
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Hi folks,
We wanted to say thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth and came to see my presentation at WhiskeyFest. It was a great week for Templeton Rye in Chicago, and we really appreciate all of the enthusiasm and support. We are just getting started, and every bit of encouragement is a big deal to us.
Our team had a long week, but we really enjoyed the time we spent with fans, friends, bartenders and fellow distillers. Also, thank you to our friends at Malt Advocate for putting together another tremendous event.
All the best,
Scott Bush
President, Templeton Rye
Last night we attended an event hosted by our friends at Binnys. We had a great time pouring for folks and catching up with some of our friends in the industry. There are a lot of really cool whiskies being developed right now.
The best part about last night was that Master Distiller Meryl Kerkhoff and wife Imelda arrived in town. They joined Keith and I at Binnys, and then our team all went to dinner at Ditka’s. Iron Mike was a coach for the Cowboys when Keith played so we got to hear several of the old training camp stories and how guys used to smoke at halftime back then.
After Ditka’s we went and watched our friends Hello Dave at Stanley’s (Jason even sang a song) and then for a nightcap or two at the Drawing Room where Templeton Rye is featured in their Manhattan. It was a great end to a great night. Below are some pictures of our evening.
Cheers,
Scott Bush
President, Templeton Rye
Meryl sharing secrets with Jimmy Russell from Russell’s Reserve
Keith and Scott with our friend David Perkins from Rendezvous Rye
The TR team at Mike Ditka’s Restaurant
On Sunday evening we attended the very first 3rd Coast Cocktail Club at Bar DeVille. The idea is for top bartenders in Chicago to hang out and talk with suppliers in a low-key environment. Low-key fits us well, and Keith, Killmer and I met and talked with a ton of big-time industry folks here in Chicago. The enthusiasm for Templeton Rye and Iowa was tremendous and meant a lot to us. Honestly, we were a little overwhelmed.
After the event we had dinner with some friends at Cordis Brothers Supper Club, a great spot on Irving Park and then hung out and listened to some music at the Long Room.
Cheers,
Scott Bush
President, Templeton Rye
Last night I trekked over to Galena, IL, for the Wine Lovers Weekend celebration where I set up the Classic Cocktail bar and shared a little of The Good Stuff with the sold-out, 600+ crowd. The Old Fashioned was popular as usual and the Shirley Templeton was on fire, which was appropriate because I met a really cool lady who’s name is actually Shirley Templeton.
It was a great event and a beautiful city. I just wish I did not sit parked on I-90 for 40 minutes on the way home.
Cheers! Stay tuned for more whiskey week updates, and don’t forget to follow me on Twitter: @Killmer
We just finished giving a Virtual Distillery Tour to our friends at In Fine Spirits, 5420 N Clark Street in Andersonville.
Scott and I with our friends at In Fine Spirits: Shane, Jill, Paul and Johnny
Tonight, Scott and I taught 35-40 of our closest friends about the history of Templeton, Iowa, walked them through production of Templeton Rye, and a classic cocktail demonstration. We were pleased with the turnout and overwhelmed with the enthusiasm for Templeton Rye. In attendance were a couple of friendly faces from past events and a lot of new fans - everyone walked away happy.
We did a simple tasting of White Dog (unaged TR) Templeton Rye, tastes of the Sazerac cocktail, The Capone, and master mixologist Benjamin ended with a full Manhattan served straight up with a healthy shot of bitters and good swirl of Antica Carpona sweet vermouth. Tonight was a great kick off to an event-filled week with a crescendo happening on April Fool’s day for Malt Advocate’s Whisky Fest Chicago. Chicago has completely embraced this event, and distillers from all over the world embark on Chicago for the week surrounding Whisky Fest.
I invite you and your friends to join us at one of the many upcoming Templeton Rye events in Chicago this week. Check out the itinerary below:
Friday, March 27th
Classic Cocktail Bar at Galena Wine Lovers Weekend
Galena, IL
Saturday, March 28th
5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Classic Cocktail Bar at Junior League Poker Night (Germania Place)
Sunday, March 29th
Sunday Funday (first ever) at 3rd Coast Cocktail Club
Chicago bartenders contact Killmer
Monday, March 30th
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Tasting Event at 1 North Kitchen and Bar (1 North Wacker Drive)
Whiskey tasting: Enjoy a sample from distilleries around the world.
RSVP: Call Don - 312-750-9700
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Rye Education at 5-Star (1424 W. Chicago Ave.)
Guests will learn about the history of rye whiskey from Mt. Vernon to today, as well as the benefits and challenges of working with this unique grain. Templeton Rye founders Scott Bush and Keith Kerkhoff will be on hand to discuss the unique history of Templeton Rye ranging from humble beginning during Prohibition, to great fame as the center of the Capone bootlegging empire, to near obscurity, to an award winning brand today.
RSVP: info@fivestarbar.com
8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Classic Cocktail Demonstration at Fizz Bar & Grill (3220 N. Lincoln)
A representative from Templeton Rye will be on hand to discuss the history of this great American brand and the proper method for making various classic cocktails made famous in the speakeasies of America - including the classics traditionally made with rye whiskey: the Manhattan, the Old Fashioned and the Sazerac.
RSVP: 773-348-6088
12:00 am - 2:00 am
American Whiskey Night at Delilah’s
Pouring Templeton from Midnight to 2 am. Come out and hang with the Templeton crew and rock til closing time!
Tuesday, March 31st
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Whiskies of the world at Binnys South Loop
For a breakdown of all WhiskeyWeek Chicago 2009 events, visit maltadvocate.com
Cheers!
Michael Killmer
Brand Manager at Templeton Rye
Our friend Trillion, a bartender at Chicago’s M Lounge, demonstrates how to make The Mr. President cocktail with Templeton Rye:
Click here for The Mr. President recipe (plus others), and don’t forget to follow Brand Manager Michael Killmer on Twitter to keep up to date on Templeton Rye events and classic cocktail tutorials in Chicago.
Want to see more videos? Please visit our YouTube channel.
We’re excited to be a part of WhiskeyFest Chicago again this year. If you’re attending, stop by and say hello - you’ll be able to find us at the events noted below. Also, Templeton Rye President Scott Bush will be a featured Whiskyfest speaker. Click here for more information.
Wednesday, April 1st
WhiskyFest 2009
Chicago, IL
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm: Whiskyfest at Grand Hyatt
11:00 pm - 1:00 pm: Delilah’s / Bottom Lounge
Mike Miller, owner of Delilah’s in Chicago, discusses where Templeton Rye fits into his whiskey library:
Want to see more videos? Please visit our YouTube channel.
Larry Brunning talks about his uncle who used to bootleg Templeton Rye into Chicago.
View more stories on YouTube at our Templeton Rye channel.
Got a TR story of your own to share? Please leave a comment below, or click here to tell us all about it.
Jim Schumburg of Rockford, Iowa, talks about meeting Al Capone’s driver at a mortuary in the 1960s, and the ties back to Templeton Rye Whiskey.
In September, we welcomed some friends from our Illinois distributor
We filmed part of our day, which can be viewed in the video below:
You may view more of our videos on YouTube by visiting the Templeton Rye channel.
The Templeton Rye team has been hard at work filling up the calendar with events for September, so celebrate the kids going back to school and join us this month.
Jameson’s Public House
Date: Thursday, Sept 4th
Location: Jameson’s, 310 East 4th St, Waterloo, IA
Join TR President Scott Bush, Brand Manager Michael Killmer and various celebrity bartenders at the famous Jameson’s pub. They will be preparing various classic Templeton Rye cocktails during the evening and then heading to the Hub for the Nadas show.
Call 319-233-0701 for more information.
Gatsby Gala at the Salisbury House
Date: Friday, Sept 5th
Location: Salisbury House, Des Moines, IA
Templeton Rye will be supporting the annual Gatsby Gala at the beautiful and historic Salisbury House. The classic cocktail bar will be set up on the Salisbury House lawn and guest will enjoy a combination of classic cocktails and classic cars.
The scene includes modern day socialites dressed in 1920s-style spats and suspenders, beads and boas, fedoras and feathers. Guests enjoy luscious, lavish cuisine and fine wine and spirits. They dance to the music of lively bands, and climb aboard vintage autos for a spin around the block. If that sounds as fun to you as it does to us please plan to attend the 4th Annual Gatsby Gala and be sure to keep your eyes out for a first of its kind Templeton Rye auction item.
Tickets are $200, or $125 for ages 35 and under. To order tickets call 515-274-1777.
For more information, visit: www.salisburyhouse.org
Randall’s Wine and Spirits Pre-Holiday Show
Date: Saturday, September 6th.
Location: 10800 Lincoln Trail Road, Fairview Heights, IL
Templeton Rye is proud to join Randall’s Wine and Spirits for their huge pre-holiday show. Randall’s is by far one of the most impressive stores we have ever seen. If you are in the area stop by for a sample of The Good Stuff and many other interesting samples. Randall’s is also one of our internet sources for those of you outside of the Iowa and Illinois markets.
For orders, visit: www.internetwines.com
Farmer’s Market
Date: Saturday, September 6th
Location: Downtown Des Moines, IA
Emerging Artist Showcase
Date: Saturday, September 6th
Location: Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago, IL
TR is one of the proud sponsors supporting live music and new, emerging artists. Stop by, check out the music, and enjoy a little of The Good Stuff.
For more information, visit: www.platform-1.com
Templeton Rye-inspired Dinner at Sage the Restaurant
Date: September 8th and 9th
Location: Sage the Restaurant, Des Moines, IA
Our friends at Sage the Restaurant will be featuring a Templeton Rye-themed menu on September 8th and 9th with a cash bar starting at 6:00 p.m. and dinner beginning promptly at 7:00 with communal seating. Click here for more information.
Gene Wiese from Manning, Iowa, shared this story about the popularity of Templeton Rye in Chicago back in the late 1940s:
When I was a kid, we just accepted Templeton Rye in our area as commonplace. We thought everybody might have something similar to Templeton Rye, that there was nothing unusual about it.
Soon after WWII in 1947, I exhibited cattle at the Great Chicago International Stock Show. My parents warned me, South State and Halsted Streets, that is a tough end of town. As I was sitting with my cattle, all these different ethnic groups would come.
When people asked you where you were from they would say, “Where is that from Des Moines?” or “Where is that from Sioux City?” Well, these folks in Chicago would look at the sign I painted and often ask, “Where is that from Templeton?” Now, this is Chicago, and they acquainted any town in Iowa with where it was from Templeton. The next question was “Did you bring any Templeton Rye with you?” The stories about its popularity in Chicago are very, very true.
You can listen to Gene talk about the Chicago International Stock Show and getting asked about Templeton Rye in the video below:
View more stories on YouTube at our Templeton Rye channel.
Got a TR story of your own to share? Please leave a comment below, or click here to tell us all about it.
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.
Garland of Manning, Iowa, sent us this story about a man named George Blade, from Irwin. He writes:
George Blade would ship 8-10 cars of cattle to Chicago several times a year. They would load them on the cars in Irwin and then the train would also stop in Manning to pick up more cattle. While they stopped in Manning, there would be a team of horses and a wagon that would back up to one of George Blade’s cattle cars and unload six or nine sacks of cattle feed.
Upon arriving in Chicago, George would always see that these sacks of cattle feed would get up to his hotel room. After the cattle were sold, the word would go out to the commission men and buyers and various other people that George Blade from Irwin was having some “hospitality” at such-and-such room. By now I’m sure you have figured out that the sacks of cattle feed also contained several bottles of Templeton Rye.
Got a TR story of your own to share? Please leave a comment below, or click here to tell us all about it.
Fay Irlbeck Schleisman, a Templeton native, shares the story of Al Capone’s visit to the small town to arrange shipments of TR to Chicago:
View more stories on YouTube at our Templeton Rye channel.
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