Located in Lexington, Kentucky, Town Branch Distillery has established itself as a bold player in the whiskey world, known for experimenting with various styles and flavors. At the 2024 Kentucky Bourbon Festival, they introduced something truly unique: Town Branch Overproof Kentucky Straight Whiskey. This marks the distillery’s first foray into the realm of blended whiskeys, and it’s already creating quite a stir.

Designed with functionality in mind, Town Branch Overproof is a 4-barrel blend of Kentucky bourbon and rye whiskey, made with the goal of offering an excellent overproof whiskey for bartenders to feature in high-end cocktails. But don’t let the bartender-friendly intent fool you—this whiskey doesn’t skimp on complexity or character. It’s built on the backbone of four distinct whiskeys, all of which were distilled by Town Branch at the Castle & Key Distillery, a historic site known for its top-tier distillation practices. While Castle & Key served as the distillation location, the whiskey itself is entirely the result of Town Branch’s custom yeast and mashbill choices, ensuring that this release remains true to the distillery’s identity.

The blend’s composition is both diverse and carefully curated. Three bourbons with two mashbills are joined by a rye whiskey to create a rich, nuanced profile. The first bourbon features a mashbill of 72% corn, 15% rye, and 13% malted barley, offering a familiar, classic bourbon flavor. The second bourbon in the mix is a wheated variety, with a mashbill of 70% corn, 22% wheat, and 8% malted barley, providing a softer, sweeter contrast. A third bourbon, a double oak, follows the same mashbill as the first but has spent additional time in a second barrel for extra complexity. Finally, the rye whiskey in the blend features a bold 90% rye, 5% corn, and 5% malted barley mashbill, lending the blend a spicier edge and rounding out the profile.

The distillation process at Town Branch results in an initial cut between 125 and 145 proof, with the final distillate coming off the still at 135 proof. Bourbon is entered into the barrel at 120 proof, while rye enters at 125 proof. Barrels are coopered by Independent Stave Co., and the majority of aging is done at Castle & Key. Some barrels are dumped immediately after aging, while others are transferred back to Town Branch for further maturation. All of the whiskey in this blend has been aged between 5 and 8 years, with the rye whiskey component enjoying a full 8 years of aging. The double oak bourbon spends an additional 2 years in rye barrels, further enriching its flavor.

Town Branch Overproof Kentucky Straight Whiskey aims to strike the perfect balance between proof and pricing for the world of mixology. Great cocktails begin with exceptional ingredients. How well has Town Branch crafted this whiskey? Let’s find out!

Town Branch Overproof Whiskey Review

The moment the glass comes to the nose, you’re immediately greeted with a rich blend of caramel and dark brown sugar. As the whiskey has a chance to breathe, there’s an unmistakable note of Orange Slices jelly candy that beckons, adding a playful twist to the overall aroma. With further air exposure, the familiar comfort of baking spices makes an appearance, grounding the nose with a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg.

On the palate, the whiskey opens up with the fizz of ginger ale, quickly joined by the aromatic warmth of cardamom. The flavors develop beautifully as molasses and currants slowly weave their way in, adding a layer of complexity to the tasting experience. The mouthfeel is medium-thick, allowing these flavors to linger on the tongue, creating a satisfying, almost velvety sensation. As the whiskey finishes, it brings a surprising but delightful combination of ripe bananas, almonds, and a soft wave of cream soda.

While Town Branch Overproof Kentucky Straight Whiskey is a solid choice for sipping neat, it doesn’t quite hit the mark when it comes to cocktail mixing. Its sweeter profile and lack of spiciness may not stand up well in more complex drinks. As a standalone pour, it offers a very enjoyable experience, but for those looking for a bold whiskey to anchor a cocktail, this might not be the best pick. It’s a great option for whiskey lovers who enjoy it neat, but less so for those who prioritize versatility in their cocktails.

104 proof.

B+ / $40 / lexingtonbrewingco.com

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