Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by Town Branch. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link towards the bottom of this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.
This September marked the 15th annual Bourbon Heritage Month, an observance calling for the celebration of bourbon as America’s “Native Spirit.” Declared an official product inherent to the United States in 1964, bourbon is a spirit that grows in popularity each year, with 2020 seeing over $4.3 billion in revenue generated for American distillers.
In honor of this, Town Branch Distillery has announced the release of two very limited bourbons, the Town Branch Sherry Cask Finish Bourbon and today’s tasting, Town Branch True Cask Bourbon.
Town Branch True Cask Bourbon is a cask strength blend, uncut and non-chill filtered. For a whiskey to be cask strength, it is drawn from the cask and bottled at that strength without adding anything to dilute the whiskey. Obviously, this makes for a higher-proof whiskey, which can be challenging for some newer whiskey drinkers. Bottled at 54% ABV, Town Branch True Cask is not an overpowering bourbon, and the 50/50 blend of two Kentucky mash bills offers a well-balanced flavor that doesn’t blow out the palate.
Alan Kennedy, Town Branch’s head blender, says in a prepared statement, “We want to show a bourbon that was true to the cask, because the true beauty of the barrels is usually only tasted by the blenders and distillers. Blending is vital to the development of each batch’s flavor profile, and each barrel used for True Cask is hand-selected for its unique characteristics.”
This limited release expression is individually numbered by batch, offering precision and care throughout the process, from distillation to fermentation to finish.
Tasting Notes: Town Branch True Cask Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Vital Stats: Mash bill a 50/50 blend: Higher-malt bourbon mash (72% corn, 15% malted barley, 13% rye) and an undisclosed proprietary bourbon mash. 54% ABV (108.1 Proof). Limited availability. Batch 001 = 1,800 cases available at $44.99/750ml. Lexington, Kentucky.
Appearance: Caramel, medium viscosity.
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Nose: Corn, peach, and oatmeal. A little like microwavable oatmeal, warming and delicious.
Palate: This is a sweet bourbon, with honey, dates, and vanilla on the front of the palate and a nice balanced finish.
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