Somebody put their foot down

[p_elliott]

In parts of Iowa Templeton Rye is very hard to come by, and people are buying it up else where in the state. They are putting it on Craig's list and Ebay asking $100 a bottle for it. They are apparently getting it. The state of Iowa liquor control division came out in the media and reminded these sellers that this is bootlegging. It is punishable by 1 year in jail and a $2000 fine. Apparently they mean to prosecute.

[Josh]

Interesting, but until someone actually gets prosecuted color me skeptical.

On a somewhat related note, this note has been posted on their FB page:

Apparently they have "started to expand production". Not quite sure what that means when you are buying your product from another state.

I am reminded of Dave Pickerell's remarks in the winter issue of MA on the rye whiskey supply in the U.S. I would imagine Templeton is having as much trouble getting its hands on rye as everybody else.

[p_elliott]

It's Iowa I would not put it past them to prosecute some one for it

[White Dog]

In parts of Iowa Templeton Rye is very hard to come by, and people are buying it up else where in the state. They are putting it on Craig's list and Ebay asking $100 a bottle for it. They are apparently getting it. The state of Iowa liquor control division came out in the media and reminded these sellers that this is bootlegging. It is punishable by 1 year in jail and a $2000 fine. Apparently they mean to prosecute.

$100 a bottle is a lot of money for 4yr LDI Rye. :lol:

[ILLfarmboy]

I heard a snippet of this on Jim Fisher's program on WOC 1420 yesterday afternoon.

I had two reactions, the first was identical to White Dog's and the second one was....what the hell, why is Templeton hard to find? It doesn't move very fast in my area...... smells like some sort of marketing hype to me.

[sku]

It is just now starting to appear in California. Personally, I think it's one of a number of overly hyped, not especially great small company products.

[Josh]

I would only pay so much for it (certainly not $100), but I have to disagree. I think it's very tasty indeed.

[cowdery]

Although Scott Bush has publicly admitted that LDI makes the whiskey and has even, in one of his newsletters, talked about waiting for a delivery of whiskey from them, Templeton continues to gussy up its Potemkin facade.

It's interesting to note that Templeton was founded in 2005. If they were a real whiskey distillery and had started to make and lay down whiskey in 2005, they would have six-year-old whiskey maturing next year.

Scott also told me that he has had some problems working with LDI, that they're not an entirely stable operation. The appearance of Harrison and others shows they are selling as much as they can to anybody they can, which suggests that if someone is willing to buy all their rye at three years old, they might not have any that reaches four. I'm confident they're not selling to any of these little guys on long-term contracts. They're probably running a cash-only operation, considering their parent company's financial condition. They're probably using these little sales just to keep the lights on.

Hell, if Templeton was legit they could buy white dog from LDI, barrels from ISC, and age it themselves. But they are, of course, not.

[ILLfarmboy]

I would only pay so much for it (certainly not $100), but I have to disagree. I think it's very tasty indeed.

[Josh]

Tasty, but weak.

[ACDetroit]

IThey are putting it on Craig's list and Ebay asking $100 a bottle for it. They are apparently getting it.

No offense Paul, but I had Templeton's in Fort Madison while there on my last visit. If people are willing to pay $100 dollars a bottle for what I had, good for the sellers, I'm not certain what shelf price is but I know I would not pay it. Wild Turkey Rye 101 $19.99 Michigan state minimum, Sign me up (way better juice! IMHO).

Cheerz

[T Comp]

Loitering in the whiskey section of liquor stores in the Land of Lincoln often creates conversation with owners or their employees. I have heard too many times something like "really love that Templeton, you have to try it, too bad we don't have or can't keep it in stock". Templeton has done a great job of marketing here and frequently conduct tastings in higher income store locations. It probably helps that many Chicago area natives also tend to be fond of both Iowa and the continuing fable of Capone shit. Also, other than our Binny's cognoscenti, all these fine liquor store folks believe it is distilled in Iowa at Templeton and some refuse to believe otherwise because they saw the picture of the still. When all else fails, I also remind them of its high price, low proof and nas as the deal breaker at least for me.

[ILLfarmboy]

...Also, other than our Binny's cognoscenti, all these fine liquor store folks believe it is distilled in Iowa at Templeton and some refuse to believe otherwise because they saw the picture of the still. When all else fails, I also remind them of its high price, low proof and nas as the deal breaker at least for me.

[callmeox]

...and that foot is me.

[p_elliott]

No offense Paul, but I had Templeton's in Fort Madison while there on my last visit. If people are willing to pay $100 dollars a bottle for what I had, good for the sellers, I'm not certain what shelf price is but I know I would not pay it. Wild Turkey Rye 101 $19.99 Michigan state minimum, Sign me up (way better juice! IMHO).

Cheerz

No offense to me I'm not a big Templeton rye fan I have a bottle in my cabinet for 2 years now and it's still about half full. It was a gift. I tell all the "believers" that it's not made in Iowa like they think it is. It's just OK rye whiskey. I have a sneaking suspicion I'm getting another bottle for Christmas this year.

[IowaJeff]

I live in DSM and it is crazy. Its like the adult version of Tickle me Elmo, Furby, and Cabbage Patch dolls. Most stores have waiting lists and have all the bottles spoken for before they even hit the shelves. One liquor store I visited had it for $80 a bottle. A couple of the stores I frequent are annoyed by all of the calls and questions they get.

I like TR, but I wouldn't pay more than 30-35 bucks for it, and it wouldn't be a regular pour at that price, I would still go for Sazerac at around $27. I can see why people who are not regular whiskey drinkers like it--its 80 proof and doesn't have that sharp up-front rye spice that turns some away. A lot of people don't understand the concept of adding water. If 100 proof is too hot for you, add water. Don't pick JD over WT101 b/c 101 has too much alcohol.

I don't know if this is true for what's in the bottle today, but I believe they do age it in Iowa now.