Super Early Deadline
31 August 2025
Judging
Date
24 & 25 March 2026
Winners Announcement
22 April 2026
31 August 2025
24 & 25 March 2026
22 April 2026
At the 2025 London Spirits Competition, Templeton Distillery made headlines with its standout Rye whiskies, including a Gold Medal and Rye Whiskey of the Year win for its Single Barrel 10 Year Rye. The wins underscore the brand’s growing presence in the global premium whiskey market—and signal the success of its strategic evolution under the guidance of Infinium Spirits, a brand incubator known for building culturally resonant, consumer-led beverage brands.
We spoke with Shane Fitzharris, SVP Commercial at Infinium Spirits, to discuss what these accolades mean, how the company balances authenticity and trend awareness across its portfolio, and what’s next for Templeton as it continues its transition from bottler to full-scale distiller.
Edited excerpts from the interview
It’s both a responsibility and a privilege. Our history in Templeton, Iowa, dates back to the Prohibition era. The brand stands as a testament to resilience and tradition. Our job today is to preserve that legacy while making it relevant for modern whiskey drinkers around the world.
We’re proud of the recognition. The 10 Year Single Barrel Rye is aged for over a decade and bottled from individual hand-selected barrels. Each one goes through a rigorous tasting process led by our Master Distiller. It’s non-chill filtered and full of complexity, with each bottle labeled by barrel number. The wooden cap even pays homage to the Templeton water tower—every detail is intentional.
At Infinium Spirits, our consumer-first philosophy drives every decision across our portfolio. Being truly consumer-obsessed means keeping evolving tastes front and center—whether it’s premiumization, transparency, or how different generations engage with spirits. Templeton is a prime example. We relaunched it as a Straight Rye, moving from a 4-Year to a higher-proof expression, which appeals to both craft cocktail culture and dedicated whiskey fans. We also recently introduced Templeton Midnight Rye, a blend of rye and California port wine, to meet demand for balanced, complex whiskies that offer something new.
Opening the distillery was a turning point. It allowed us to bring more of the production in-house, create jobs locally, and deepen our connection with Iowa agriculture. Our first distillery release was Fortitude Bourbon, and this October we’re launching the Templeton Single Barrel Rye, the first rye made entirely at our facility. We’re building a strong pipeline of new expressions while maintaining the quality our fans expect.
In such a competitive market, how does Infinium stay ahead of consumer trends while maintaining the authenticity of each brand?
We stay on top of industry trends while staying rooted in what makes each brand unique. It’s a balance—we innovate with purpose, not to follow every trend. This applies to Templeton and every brand in our portfolio. Growth has to be intentional and aligned with brand DNA.
Templeton Rye Whiskey Single Barrel 10yr
We’re focused on quality at every step. Our mash bill—95% rye, 5% malted barley—is classic, but the Iowa climate adds its own character with hot summers and cold winters that shape the aging process. We rotate barrels across the warehouse to ensure consistency and balance. It’s a handcrafted approach, from distillation to bottle.
Fortitude Bourbon is our first distillery release and a real celebration of local pride—we source corn from within 10 miles of our facility, and the high-rye mash bill honors our roots. Midnight Rye is another innovation: a bold blend of rye and California port wine that combines spice with sweetness. It’s premium, different, and speaks to whiskey lovers looking for new experiences.
Big things are coming. In October, we’ll release Templeton Rye Single Barrel, crafted entirely in-house. Later this year, we’re launching Hidden Stash, a 13-Year-Old limited edition rye just in time for the holidays. 2026 will bring even more special releases as we build on the distillery’s growing capabilities.
We’re a small-town distillery with a global-quality product. Templeton, Iowa, has a population of 352—but it’s producing some of the most awarded American whiskey in the world. We invite buyers, bartenders, and whiskey fans to come see it for themselves. We’re proud of our history, our people, and what’s next for Templeton.
Make your spirits stand out on the world stage. Enter the London Spirits Competition by August 31 to secure Super Early Bird savings.