Templeton debuts its inaugural Bourbon

American whiskey maker Templeton has released Fortitude Bourbon, marking the first liquid to come entirely from its distillery in Iowa.

Templeton Fortitude Bourbon is made with a mash bill of 55% corn, 40% rye and 5% malted barley, and matured in first-fill American oak barrels.

The 46% ABV Bourbon is also made with locally sourced corn in partnership with farms located within 15 miles of the distillery.

The brand opened a 34,500-square-foot distillery, visitor centre and museum in the town of Templeton, Iowa, in 2018. The site has an annual production of more than three million bottles.

The US$35 million distillery also includes two 54,000sq ft maturation and barrel-ageing warehouses, and a bottling facility on site.

The release of the whiskey signifies Templeton’s evolution from an independent bottler to a distiller. The company is known for producing rye whiskey, which was previously distilled and aged in Indiana.

Shane Fitzharris, senior vice-president of commercial at Infinium Spirits, said: “We are very excited to bring our distillery’s inaugural distillate to the world and showcase the innovation and craft that we have at Templeton Distillery through this fantastic Bourbon release.”

The liquid carries a ‘floral and grassy’ aroma, with hints of spice, black pepper, sweet vanilla, and lemon peels. Flavours of rye, spice, butterscotch and citrus follow on the palate, culminating in a finish of spicy oak notes and caramel popcorn.

The expression is priced at US$39.99 and available to buy across the US and in select global markets.

Templeton is part of the Infinium Spirits portfolio, a family-operated spirits company headquartered in San Diego, California.

It is currently one of the leading premium rye whiskey brands in the States with distribution in more than 70 countries across five continents.

The brand has big ambitions to continue to grow internationally, after making its debut outside of the US in 2019.