A little background

If you visited my house and I told you I had a bottle of whiskey from Kentucky that I wanted you to try, your mind would likely go straight to bourbon, as would most of ours. However, Town Branch Kentucky Single Malt Whiskey is far from a bourbon. Created by Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company, this whiskey is distilled from a mash bill of 100% malted barley, and aged for seven years which is a few years longer than most other American Single Malt whiskeys. Town Branch Kentucky Single Malt Whiskey is bottled at 87 Proof and has a retail price of around $30.

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)

Color

Pale Gold

Nose

The nose is a mild, buttery affair, with some sweet and plain breakfast cereal notes deeper in the glass. At 87 proof there is no heat on the nose to speak of.

Palate

The buttery nose carries into a sweeter palate, where caramel takes over the front palate, fading to more of a honey note with a touch more cereal/grain at the back of the palate. The mouthfeel is decently thick and allows flavors to unfold over time on the palate.

Finish

The finish is medium in length, and it carries a fair amount of heat for something cut to 87 proof. The heat is mild, but it arrives quickly and dissipates slowly down the center of the palate, with notes of honey-glazed grains and an interesting tropical fruit note-mango or pineapple that sneaks into the corners of the palate part-way through the finish.

In closing

Town Branch Kentucky Single Malt Whiskey
has a more mature and balanced profile than most other American single malts I have tried to date. At 87 proof it carries a fair amount of flavor, and the nose and palate are very approachable. With that said, each sip left me wanting another, but it also left me wishing I could dial up the flavor just a touch. I would say a bump in proof might resolve that and make it blossom, but the considerable heat on the 87 proof finish makes me hesitant about that idea. All in all, Town Branch Kentucky Single Malt Whiskey is a tasty pour, and I’m willing to bet it would fit nicely into a flight of low-proof scotches. A bottle will set you back about $30, and at that price, I would happily keep this on my shelf for when I want a solid mature American single malt whiskey.

NOTE: The sample used for this review was provided at no cost courtesy of Town Branch Distillery. We thank them for the sample and for allowing us to review it with no strings attached.