Are you intrigued by the old-time history of the Hawkeye State? Though our history books in school never quite covered how involved Iowa was in fighting prohibition and how one quiet Iowa town was a mafia mecca, all it takes is a little digging to find out that rural Iowa was a bootlegger’s paradise during prohibition.

If you want to learn more about an often overlooked time in history, embark on a historic distillery tour in Iowa that’s sure to leave you fascinated.

Even though Templeton, Iowa is only home to about 400 people, anyone who has ever visited knows that this tiny town is home to some big history.
Facebook / Templeton Rye
During Prohibition, "Templeton Rye" was a type of whiskey made by bootleggers and exported to Chicago, Omaha, and Kansas City speakeasies. Carroll County farmers produced this spirit and sent it via train to the major cities.
Facebook / Templeton Rye
After prohibition ended, small town bootleggers didn't have the demand for their illegal spirit, and only small batches of Templeton Rye - nicknamed "the good stuff" were made in town.
Tripadvisor / Roy P.
It wasn't until 2006 that Templeton Rye Whisky was legally made, thanks to the establishment founded by descendants of the famous bootlegger Alphons Kerkhoff.
Tripadvisor / management
Today, you can tour the distillery and see just how "the good stuff" is made and bottled. The process hasn't changed much in a century, though the machinery is a whole lot shinier now.
Tripadvisor / pjjewel

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Touring the Templeton Rye distillery is a bucket-list worthy experience for anyone interested in history, spirits, or both.
Tripadvisor / James W.
Part of the tour covers the history of Templeton Rye and how it was made and distributed during prohibition. If it weren't for the 18th Amendment, the world may have never been introduced to small town Iowa's distilling skills.
Facebook / Templeton Rye
The distillery tour ends in the tasting room, where you can finally enjoy a sip of the spirit that brought you here in the first place.
Facebook / Templeton Rye
Templeton Rye Whisky is one of the most famous spirits in the country, and nobody knows just how important it has been more than the locals who have grown up in the shadow of this legendary spirit.
Facebook / Templeton Rye
The history of Templeton Rye is storied and seemingly everlasting. Here in the tiny town of Templeton, we don't really know what we'd do without it.
Facebook / Templeton Rye

Learn more about the best distillery tour in Iowa on the Templeton Rye website, here.

 

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Rye St, Templeton, IA 51463, USA