Town Branch Single Barrel Bourbon Review

Updated June 23, 2024

By Richard Thomas

Rating: B

Whenever I am asked about how to organize a trip on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, my first question is always “Where are you staying, Lexington or Louisville?” This is because these two cities, the largest in Kentucky, either embrace or sit on either side of most of the distilleries in the state, including all of the “Kentucky Majors.” If you are working from the Lexington side of the trail, there is now something special waiting for you.

Back in 2015, Town Branch Distillery added a single barrel version of their bourbon to their line-up. Nine years ago, it was a distillery-only expression and sourced. Now it is made in-house and in general distribution. The expression is not just single barrel, but also cask strength, and has been from the beginning. It used to float in the 120 to 125 proof range, but the recent bottling that I tried in 2024 was at 108.5 proof. Another recent released clocked around 107 proof. The one I tried in 2024 was distilled in 2017. The mash bill is 72% corn, 15% malted barley, and 13% rye, with an entry proof of 110.

The Bourbon
A key feature of Town Branch is its light, easy drinking character. The odd thing about Town Branch Single Barrel is how the substantially increase in strength has increased the intensity of the bourbon, but without sacrificing that easy drinking nature.

As a whiskey rises above 60% abv (120 proof), the more likely it is to require water in my book. The proof of the 2015 sample I tried at the distillery was 120.07 proof, and that likely explains how I could take it right up without a drop of water. Even so, I doubt another point or two of abv would change much in terms of straight drinkability. This is cask strength, but still very approachable.

The flavor profile is, naturally, very similar to that of Town Branch: corn sweet with notes of citrus zest, caramel and wood. Being more intense, but still carrying a light texture, the Single Barrel bursts with sweet caramel and orange zest, and the rye spices come more to the fore, hand in hand with the woody side. In keeping with its core virtues, the finish is light.

When I came back to the expression in 2024, that sample was much lower in proof, and had a nose like a caramel apple rolled in cinnamon graham cracker crumbs. The palate took that foundation and made it oakier. It was more like a baked apple, with an emphasis on ginger in the baking spice blend and a caramel drizzle. The oaky spices roll over into the finish.

I wouldn’t put Town Branch Single Barrel in the “big and bold” category, but it’s always had some personality. If you’ve read my comparison of two different barrels from nine years apart, the whiskey has certainly changed with time and origin, moreso than can usually be explained by mere barrel variance.

The Price
The price on this item has fallen by ten bucks since 2015, down to $60.