Templeton Distillery has recently announced the launch of the Templeton Distillery Entrepreneur’s Grant program, which will award three small businesses $10,000 each. The grants are designed to help ignite the spark of these budding companies, just like early producers in the small town of Templeton, Iowa were inspired by the idea to craft what was commonly known as “Templeton Rye” over 100 years ago.
Winners of the grants will be selected by a panel of a few of Iowa natives, including actors Brandon Routh (“Superman Returns”, “Legends Of Tomorrow”) and Hill Harper (“The Good Doctor”). Rounding out the remainder of the panel are Templeton Distillery’s co-founder Keith Kerkhoff as well as the founders of local Iowa-based businesses, Crème Cupcake + Dessert’s Christina Moffatt and BLK & Bold Specialty Beverage’s Pernell Cezar and Rod Johnson. The period to apply will run from now through July 11, with winners announced in August.
All US-based businesses are invited to apply for the Templeton Distillery Entrepreneur’s Grant, excluding those that sell alcohol or are owned by anyone under the age of 21. To enter, businesses will submit 250 words about why they should be considered. Entries will be judged on originality (40%), contributions to the local community (40%), and business viability (20%).
“Ignited by the spark of a simple idea, early producers in the small town of Templeton, Iowa began crafting what was commonly known as ‘Templeton Rye’ at the turn of the 20th century,” said Templeton Distillery Co-founder Keith Kerkhoff. “Now looking to the future as Templeton Distillery, we could not think of a better way to honor this heritage than by supporting small businesses with a little help from some Iowa greats. Also, we are thrilled to introduce an even more premium offering for the fans of Templeton to enjoy when they want to sip something a bit more special.”
The launch of the grant program is timed alongside the debut of Templeton’s new 10 Year Reserve Rye Whiskey, complete with a refreshed look. The newest addition to the core line is the Templeton Rye 10 Year Reserve, with each release bottled from a hand-selected single barrel. The whiskey is aged a full decade in charred new American oak barrels. Every good revival has a way of bringing history into the now, so the new 10 Year Reserve along with the 4 and 6 Year, will be featured in refreshed packaging (see below).
Templeton Rye 10 Year Reserve is now available for $85.
