Templeton Rye dates back to the early 1900s, when residents of Templeton, Iowa distilled their own brown spirits. The brand was relaunched in 2006 and today announced groundbreaking on a new distillery.

The facility will be tentatively completed within 18 months, the company said in a press release.

Templeton Rye’s new home will consist of a 34,500-square-foot distillery and an aging warehouse at its current 20-acre facility in the town of Templeton. The new distillery will be able to produce 500,000 proof gallons of rye whiskey annually, while the aging warehouse will be able to warehouse 40,000 barrels. 

Production tours will be offered that give visitors a bird’s eye view of the entire process. 

Last year, the company introduced a new iteration: Templeton Rye 6, which marked the company’s first new product in a decade. Aged six years in new American oak barrels, this release of Templeton Rye has a 91.5 proof (compared to the signature product’s 80 proof). In late October, coinciding with the company’s 10-year anniversary, Templeton introduced a limited release: Templeton Rye Special Reserve.

“We’re moving full-steam ahead. Our company is laser-focused on bringing the history and spirit of the community of Templeton, Iowa, to life through Templeton Rye whiskey,” said Keith Kerkhoff, Templeton Rye co-founder (pictured atop, to the right).

Artist rendering of the new facility

Artist rendering of the new warehouse