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

Michael Killmer, Brand Manager

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

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

We’re pleased to offer the perfect getaway for couples who are looking for something unique and memorable to do this Valentine’s Day. Grab your loved one and visit our distillery to experience an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the history of Templeton Rye.

Templeton Rye distillery tours include a guided walk through our new barrel warehouse, bottling line, grand tasting room and gift shop. The distillery will be open for tours from 9 am – noon on Saturday, February 14th.

Please e-mail kevin@templetonrye.com to secure your spot or for more details.

If you’re interested in booking a group getaway for Valentine’s Day, contact us about the Ultimate Templeton Experience by e-mailing us at templetonexperience@templetonrye.com.

Templeton Rye Whiskey invites restaurant and bar staffs to spend a day with our team and learn all about the production, history and intricacies of Templeton Rye.

Check out the highlights from the Full Court Press’ visit to the Templeton Rye distillery. For more information or to make a reservation for your staff, please email us at staffvisit@templetonrye.com.

Jeff and Jamie Schug of Johnston, Iowa, recently enjoyed the Ultimate Templeton Experience with a group of close friends: Maggie and Steve Jackson, Brenda and Bill Maly and Nicole and Rob Beaman.

Their day began at the Renaissance Savery Hotel in Des Moines, where they were picked up in the Templeton Rye bus and transported to Templeton for a VIP distillery tour, including a chance to label a bottle of The Good Stuff.

In addition to the tour, the group also enjoyed a great lunch at The Corner Station, a classic cocktail demonstration and a driving tour of historic Templeton (which turned into quite an adventure when the bus got stuck in the snow). The trip back to Des Moines included stops at Chuck’s Place in Coon Rapids and Tojo’s in Jamaica. “Team Schug” reports that their group had a fabulous time during their visit to Templeton.

Pictured, from left to right: Brenda and Bill Maly, Jamie and Jeff Schug, Nicole and Rob Beaman, Maggie and Steve Jackson

The Ultimate Templeton Experience is a great way to escape from the cold weather, stay warm with friends and learn a little about Templeton’s history. If you’re interested in this one-of-a-kind adventure, you can email us at templetonexperience@templetonrye.com and book a date. We have a potential opening coming up on Saturday, February 14th, if you’re looking for something unique to do on Valentine’s Day!

Running after the bus.

Templeton Rye President Scott Bush and Master Distiller Meryl Kerkhoff

Eighty years ago, when bootleg Templeton Rye was in the height of its
production, a very important event happened in tiny Templeton, Iowa. Our
Master Distiller, Meryl Kerkhoff, was born and started a course of
history that would eventually bring The Good Stuff to your glass.

A large group of friends and family came together at the VFW in Manning,
Iowa on Saturday night to celebrate. There was plenty of Templeton Rye
being poured, as well as the traditional cold sandwiches, potato salad,
beans, baked goods and enough birthday cake for the entire town.
Meryl is a living treasure for our company and everyone who knows him.
Happy Birthday, Meryl!

Pictured from left to right: Distillery Manager Kevin Boersma, President Scott Bush, Master Distiller Meryl Kerkhoff, Assistant Master Distiller Keith Kerkhoff and Creative Director Jason Walsmith

Pictured from left to right: (front) Dan Kerkhoff, Scott Kerkhoff, Ron Kerkhoff (back) Keith Kerkhoff, Mary Bertelsen, Imelda Kerkhoff, Meryl Kerkhoff and Marty Kerkhoff

All aboard! On Wednesday, November 26th, we’ll be cruising through Des Moines in the new Templeton Rye shuttle bus for our first annual Thanksgiving Tour of Des Moines. We’re honored to have such loyal supporters, so this is our way of saying “thanks” for another great year.

The TR shuttle bus will be making special stops throughout the Des Moines metro area, providing groups of up to 12 people a sweet getaway from the monotonous “day-before-Thanksgiving” workday. In case you want to get an early jump on your holiday shopping, we’ll have Templeton Rye merchandise available for purchase. But let’s get one thing straight: This isn’t about selling you stuff, it’s about meeting you all and saying thank you.

Want us to add your workplace to the route? All you need to do is round up a dozen people from your office who love Templeton Rye as much as you do, and ask them to take a short break from work to hang out on the TR shuttle bus. Once you’ve got your group confirmed, please e-mail us at info@templetonrye.com with your location and we will add you to the route!

For those of you interested in an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the history of Templeton Rye, we are now offering The Ultimate Templeton Experience: an exclusive trip for groups of up to 20 people aboard our private TR shuttle bus. We’ll pick up your guests at a designated meeting spot, provide transportation to and from Templeton, Iowa, and treat your group to lunch and refreshments — both aboard the bus and at the distillery.

The experience is perfect for groups of friends or corporate outings, and can be customized to include any of the following activities:

Please e-mail us at templetonexperience@templetonrye.com for more details and available dates.