Is This Iowa’s Most Iconic Alcoholic Beverage?

If you ask Iowans what the most iconic alcoholic beverage from the state is, I'm guessing you're going to get a lot of Templeton Rye answers. That is actually pretty amazing since the rye whiskey has shot to popularity only in the past decade or so.

If you aren't familiar with the history of the beverage, during prohibition, the whiskey was made in Templeton, Iowa as a way for farmers in Carroll County to supplement their income. Templeton Whiskey was considered to be extremely high quality and was popular in speakeasies in Chicago, Kansas City, and other large midwest cities. It was rumored to be Al Capone's drink of choice!

The whiskey began to surge in popularity again around 2006 as the whiskey was marketed as a "prohibition era recipe". That claim was later legally challenged. Templeton is actually distilled in Indiana and only bottled in Iowa. Changes to the label were made, and refunds were given for bottle sold with the old label on it.

Despite the bump in the road, Templeton Rye remains a top selling and rated whiskey and a source of pride for residents of the small Iowa town. It's no doubt the reason that according to a new survey, Templeton Rye was named the most iconic alcoholic beverage in the state of Iowa. You can see how other states choose HERE.

[via Thrillist]