Templeton 13 Year Rye The Hidden Stash 750ML

Templeton 13 Year Rye The Hidden Stash 750ML is a limited-edition, 13-year-old straight rye whiskey bottled at 54% ABV (108 proof) in a 750ml format. Only 3,456 individually numbered bottles were produced, and the expression earned a spot on Drinkhacker's 2025 Top 20 Whiskeys of the Year list.

Quick Facts: ABV: 54% (108 proof)  |  Origin: Iowa, USA  |  Age: 13 Years  |  Distillery: Templeton Rye Spirits

Production & Heritage

Templeton Rye Spirits, based in Templeton, Iowa, was co-founded in 2006 by Scott Bush and Keith Kerkhoff. The brand draws its identity from the rye whiskey produced in the small Iowa town during Prohibition, famously favored by Al Capone. The Hidden Stash 13 Year is distilled from a 95% rye and 5% malted barley mashbill — originally produced at MGP's distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana — then aged for a full 13 years in new American oak barrels with a heavy char level 4 treatment. That aggressive char amplifies the caramel extraction and tannic structure over more than a decade of maturation, resulting in a whiskey of uncommon depth for the brand's portfolio.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rich caramel and toffee arrive first, followed by layers of aged oak, dark stone fruit, and subtle tobacco leaf. Clove spice and a faint sweetness round out the nose, signaling the rye's extended time in barrel.

Taste: The entry is plush with deep, dark caramel and vanilla, giving way to a mid-palate surge of robust rye spice and dried fruit. Oak tannins provide structure without bitterness, and the 95% rye mashbill keeps the profile assertive and grain-forward throughout.

Finish: Long and layered, with honeyed oak, dark cocoa, and cracked black pepper trailing into a dry rye snap. The finish never turns harsh despite the high proof, maintaining balance through the final beat.

How to Drink Hidden Stash 13 Year

At 108 proof, this rye benefits from a few drops of water or a single large ice cube to unlock the full spectrum of dark fruit and caramel without masking the oak. It's built for slow sipping neat, where the 13 years of barrel influence can fully present themselves.

• Vieux Carré: The aged oak and cocoa notes integrate seamlessly with sweet vermouth and Bénédictine in this New Orleans classic.
• Manhattan: The concentrated caramel and rye spice stand up to sweet vermouth without being diluted into the background.
• Sazerac: Dark fruit and peppery bite make this a commanding base for the absinthe-rinsed rye cocktail.

Best For

• Gifting a serious rye whiskey collector who values numbered, limited-production bottles
• Anchoring a tasting flight comparing aged MGP rye expressions side by side
• Celebrating a milestone with a spirit that rewards patient, contemplative sipping
• Adding a rare, age-stated American rye to a home whiskey library

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hidden Stash 13 Year taste like? It leads with deep caramel, vanilla, and toffee before rye spice, dried fruit, and aged oak take over; the finish is long with dark cocoa, cracked pepper, and a clean rye snap.

How does Hidden Stash 13 Year compare to High West Rendezvous Rye? Both draw from MGP's 95% rye mashbill, but Rendezvous Rye is a blend of younger stocks (typically under 10 years) at a lower proof, making it lighter and more herbal, while the Hidden Stash 13 Year delivers significantly more oak depth and barrel-driven sweetness from its extended aging.

Is Hidden Stash 13 Year good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the 13-year maturation rounds the 108-proof heat into a smooth, layered pour that rewards neat sipping, though a splash of water can open it further.

Where is Hidden Stash 13 Year made? The whiskey is distilled from a 95% rye and 5% malted barley mashbill at MGP's distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and is part of the Templeton Rye portfolio based in Templeton, Iowa.

What foods pair well with Hidden Stash 13 Year? Smoked brisket complements the oak and pepper notes; dark chocolate truffles echo the cocoa finish; aged Gouda mirrors the caramel sweetness; charcuterie with fig jam bridges the dried fruit character; and pecan pie reinforces the toffee and toasted nut qualities.

What sizes does Hidden Stash 13 Year come in? The Hidden Stash 13 Year is released in a standard 750ml bottle, with each bottle individually numbered from a run of 3,456 units.

Is Hidden Stash 13 Year worth the price? It positions as a premium, limited-production American rye — the 13-year age statement, cask-strength proof, and run of fewer than 3,500 bottles place it in rarefied territory for the category, competing directly with other ultra-aged rye releases.

Why Hidden Stash 13 Year?

Thirteen years in char level 4 American oak barrels is unusually long for a rye whiskey, and the resulting depth of caramel, dark fruit, and tannic structure sets this apart from the vast majority of rye on the market. The production run of just 3,456 numbered bottles underscores genuine scarcity rather than marketing artifice. Its inclusion on Drinkhacker's 2025 Top 20 Whiskeys of the Year validates the quality at a critical level. For anyone seeking an age-stated, high-proof American rye that demonstrates what extended oak maturation can accomplish with the classic 95/5 mashbill, this bottle delivers a clear answer.