Bright, approachable, and quietly complex — a classic Kentucky sipper.
About Town Branch
“Our roots are in our branch” – Lexington Brewing & Distilling Company (Town Branch)
Some distilleries impress with scale. Others with story. Town Branch Distillery manages both — grounded in history, yet firmly focused on what ultimately matters: what’s in the glass.
Based in Lexington, Kentucky, Town Branch is part of Lexington Brewing & Distilling Company (founded in 2008), producing American Single Malt, bourbon, rye, and bourbon barrel-aged beers.
But the story begins long before Town Branch itself. The original Lexington Brewing Company dates back to the 1890s before Prohibition shuttered operations and ownership changed hands repeatedly. In 1999, Pearse Lyons and his son Mark Lyons took ownership of the struggling brewery. Drawing from a family lineage rooted in Irish coopering and fermentation, Pearse revitalized both the brewery and a craft tradition in Lexington that traces back centuries.
Distilling followed naturally. Two copper pot stills commissioned from Scotland arrived in 2008, and in September 2012, Town Branch Distillery opened across the street — the first new distillery built in Lexington in more than 100 years. Those stills remain both functional and symbolic: a meeting point between tradition and imagination.
Experimentation has always been part of the DNA. In 2006, freshly emptied bourbon barrels were filled with Kentucky Ale®, resulting in Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale® — a beer that would go on to define a category. From there came Town Branch Malt, the first malt whiskey produced in Lexington since Prohibition, followed by bourbon, rye, sherry cask finishes, and limited releases.
Today, the Lyons family continues to guide the brand forward, balancing respect for history with thoughtful innovation. Quality ingredients, transparency, and hands-on craftsmanship remain central to every bottle. In 2012, Town Branch was officially added as the seventh distillery on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
During my visit, hosted by head distiller Dave Bob, I spent the morning touring the facility and tasting through the lineup. Dave welcomed us with fresh donuts and a Bluegrass Sundown — a hot cocktail built on bourbon, dark-roasted coffee, sugar, and a float of cream. It was warming, smooth, and completely disarming — the perfect tone-setter for a distillery that consistently overdelivers without pretense.
Stats
- Age: min 6 year (6-8 yr blend)
- Proof: 90 (45% ABV)
- Mashbill: 72% │ 15% Rye │ 13% Malted Barley
- Origin: Town Branch — Lexington, Kentucky
- Finish: Straight
- Batch: 011
- Release: Wide Release
- MSRP: $35.99 (Lexington Brewing Co)
Tasting Notes
- Nose: The first sip leans nostalgic — orange creamsicle sweetness, classic caramel, and a bright pop of cherry candy that immediately feels familiar in the best way.
- Palate: As it opens up, the bourbon takes a gentle turn toward the savory. Minty rye leads into fresh sage and thyme, warm biscuits straight from the oven, and a soft dusting of brown sugar that keeps everything grounded.
- Finish: This is where it earns its Kentucky credentials. Dusty baking spices, old-school cherry, and brown sugar mingle comfortably, traditional without feeling tired. The finish lingers just long enough to remind you why approachable bourbons still matter.
- Presentation: Square bottle whose labeling is clean, minimal, and quietly stylish.
This 90-proof bourbon is approachable and inviting, with no rough edges. It’s an easy sipper for a quiet evening, yet interesting enough to hold your attention. Thanks to its lighter body and herbal undercurrent, it would also shine in cocktails.
It balances restraint with character — classic Kentucky bourbon flavor without overwhelming the palate.
Presentation
I’ve always had a soft spot for rectangular bottles — they immediately signal that something a little different is happening. The labeling is clean, minimal, and quietly stylish. I especially like the subtle overlay of the “branch” motif and Lexington street map beneath the brand name — a thoughtful nod to place without shouting about it.
Value & Transparency
At $35.99, this bourbon lands squarely in the sweet spot of the $10-per-year rule (assuming a minimum age of around 3.5 years). It won’t reinvent the wheel, but what it does, it does well — with a light touch of stone fruit that adds lift and keeps things interesting.
Town Branch is refreshingly transparent. This bourbon is distilled, aged, and bottled on site (or in their off-site rickhouse), with mashbill and age disclosed. Even when small variations occur — as in their True Cask releases — those changes are openly discussed, including slight adjustments between rye and malted barley.
Distinctiveness
There’s a bright fruit and sweetness here — often reading as peach or cherry — that sets this apart from many Kentucky classics.
At the same time, it retains familiar touchstones: dusty brown sugar, cherry candy, and baking spice. Think of it as your favorite low-proof Kentucky sipper, just sharpened slightly around the edges.
Buy if:
- You enjoy classic Kentucky bourbon profiles with soft sweetness and familiar comfort.
- You’re looking for an easy, no-friction sipper that won’t fatigue your palate.
- You want a versatile bottle that works just as well in cocktails as it does neat or over a cube.
- Herbal notes like mint, sage, and thyme add interest for you rather than distraction.
Skip if:
- You’re chasing bold oak, heavy proof, or dramatic intensity in your bourbon.
- You prefer long, lingering finishes with deep tannin and structure.
- You want something that feels experimental or boundary-pushing.
For those who prefer numbers, here’s the full score breakdown:
- Nose: 3.25 / 7
- Palate: 3.4 / 7
- Finish: 3.55 / 7
- Presentation: 5.5 / 7
- Value: 4 / 7
- Transparency: 7 / 7
- Distinctiveness: 3.5 / 7
Bourbon Bishop Rating: 4.31 / 7 – Angelic
Good to great. High value for the price.
| Score | Descriptor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1 | Hell No | Drain pour. Seriously undrinkable |
| 1.1–2 | Purgatory | Bad, but could be worse. Only in extreme cases. |
| 2.1–3 | Only Earthly | Just okay. Best used as a mixer. |
| 3.1–4 | Bliss | Passable sipper. Works well in cocktails. |
| 4.1–5 | Angelic | Good to great. High value for the price. |
| 5.1–6 | Divine | Top-shelf. Must-buy for fans of the style. |
| 6.1–7 | Holy Heaven | Out-of-this-world. A true unicorn. |
Disclosure: This bottle was provided to me free of charge for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
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A vivid, fruit-forward cask-strength bourbon led by peach, citrus, and baking spice. Bright, energetic, and expressive without losing balance or approachability.
Some distilleries impress you with scale. Others with story. Town Branch manages both — grounded in history, but focused on what’s in the glass.
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