Town Branch Distillery announced the annual release this week of its Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey. (August is National Rye Month, if you haven’t been paying attention.) The expression is “blended-to-order,” with average age of six years.
Town Branch is the distilling arm of Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. Forbes Magazine named Town Branch its “Best Rye Whiskey” in its Top Whiskeys of 2021 survey.
Mash bill: 90% rye, 5% corn, and 5% malted barley
SRP: $49.99 (750 ml)
Tasting Notes (from the distillery): Appearance: Rich amber honey. Aroma: Rye spice, mature oak, vanilla, apples, and caramel. Palate: Dry oak, spice of nutmeg, black pepper, walnut, brown sugar, and honey syrup
Age: 4 to 9 years blending range, averaging about 6 years
ABV: 50%
Estimated Availability: 500 cases, not including single barrels
"Initially, after the Forbes recognition, we 'soft allocated' this brand to monitor maturation while ensuring minimal stocks continued to flow to our network as needed. However, this year, we've especially held back on this brand. This strategy allowed for the rebuilding of well-aged Rye stocks and even let some barrels rest for extended aging. Moving forward, Town Branch Rye®️ will be released annually in August, blended-to-order based on wholesaler needs and at the blenders' discretion. This year’s release will be limited to around 500 cases nationwide. Once it's gone, it's gone.”
