Sips & Sites & Bites

If you’ve ever found an old bottle tucked away in the back of your cabinet … something you forgot you had but can’t wait to pour … you’ll get the spirit (pun intended) behind Templeton Distillery’s newest release.

The Iowa-based whiskey maker has just pulled back the curtain on something truly special: Templeton 13-Year-Old Rye Whiskey, the first release from its aptly named Hidden Stash Collection. And yes, it’s every bit as good as it sounds.

This isn’t just another fancy label. The 13-Year is drawn from Templeton’s most prized sourced barrels … those quietly maturing away in the small town of Templeton, Iowa for over a decade. The result is a rye that feels both historic and indulgent, a nod to the brand’s bootlegging roots and a toast to how far they’ve come since those Prohibition days.

From the first pour, it’s clear this is something extraordinary. The nose greets you with bold waves of sweet and spicy rye, brightened by hints of candied orange zest. Take a sip, and the warmth rolls in … think sweet chipotle pepper that mellows into citrus, spice, and finally, a honeyed caramel finish. Just when you think it’s done, it lingers with a whisper of dark chocolate. Complex? Absolutely. Overly fussy? Not at all.

Templeton’s Senior VP of Global Commercial, Shane Fitzharris, calls it a “milestone” for the distillery … and he’s right. Since opening their distillery in 2018, Templeton has been building a portfolio that bridges past and future. While their newer in-house spirits like Fortitude Bourbon have shown they’re thinking forward, the Hidden Stash line is a love letter to their legacy … to those “hidden treasures” that started it all.

And speaking of legacy: Templeton’s story runs deep. Back in the 1920s, the town’s bootleggers were known for crafting a rye so good it became legend. When the stock market crashed in 1929, that same stash of whiskey literally helped the local bank stay afloat. Now, almost a century later, the town’s resilient spirit lives on … only this time, it’s bottled, boxed, and a whole lot more refined.

Bottled at a confident 108 proof and made from a classic 95% rye, 5% malted barley mash bill, Templeton 13-Year-Old Rye is a collector’s dream and a rye lover’s reward. Limited, premium, and priced at $169.99, it’s available now at select retailers and online.

If you’ve got a soft spot for bold, beautifully aged whiskey with a story to tell, this one deserves a spot in your glass … and maybe in your own hidden stash.

Learn more or track down a bottle at www.templetondistillery.com