Town Branch Distillery Unveils New Whiskey Blending Strategy

Enhanced Blending Process Implemented for Distillery’s Flagship Town Branch Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Alongside Allocated Straight Rye and Single Malt Whiskey Releases

LEXINGTON, Ky, February 2025— Town Branch Distillery, the heart of Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.—the only brewery and distillery on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®—is proud to announce significant improvements in its blending process for several key whiskeys. The distillery has overhauled barrel selection methods, proofing techniques, and, most notably, increased the average age of the whiskeys within its updated blending strategy.

Town Branch®️ Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – 90 Proof

Under the leadership of Mark Lyons, a seventh-generation member of the Lyons family with deep roots in brewing, distilling, and cooperage, Town Branch has been refining its long-term vision. A major shift recently occurred with the re-envisioning of the flagship spirit: Town Branch Kentucky Straight Bourbon – 90 Proof.

In late 2024, Town Branch tasted several new potential blends for its flagship bourbon. The result: a unanimous decision to adjust to a new blend that is aged 2 years longer on average, thanks to an increase in its available mature inventory. This adjustment not only enhanced the whiskey’s age but also expanded the variety of barrels used. The distillery currently has four mature bourbon mash bills available for blending, two of which are its primary for blending, both with the same grain build but different distillation methods: double pot-still (creating deep flavors of stone fruit, orchard fruit and biscuit) and column-still (producing honey, cinnamon, and nut flavors). Along with these components, a longer proofing process was implemented to allow the whiskey to decant properly, developing additional flavor. The goal is to craft a blend driven by knowledge and experience, not necessity.

“We want to amplify and enhance the distinctive flavors and tasting notes of our blended Bourbon,” says Dave Bob Gaspar, National Brand Manager and Lead Blender. “Between 6-7 years of age, Town Branch Bourbons are at their peak, which gives us a more robust base for our blends.” The core blending range is between 5 and 8 years, and per current U.S. label laws, there is nothing under 4 years old in this NAS (No Age Statement) whiskey with all the barrels being selected for blending older than this.

The Art of Allocation to Improve The Art of Blending

Town Branch Kentucky Straight Bourbon – 90 Proof is not the only brand to benefit from the recent blending upgrades. Two other original core offerings—Town Branch Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey – 100 Proof and Town Branch 7-Year Kentucky Single Malt Whiskey – 87 Proof—were intentionally slowed in 2024 with a soft allocation process to the market. Starting in 2025, these whiskeys will follow a blend-to-order annual allocation model.

These updated blending strategies focus on increasing the average age of the whiskey and delivering exceptional value to consumers. “We produce only what our network demands each year, and by knowing their needs in advance, we can craft a blend for these types of products that represents the best whiskey possible at that time—rather than a standardized product year after year,” says Robert Krass, Managing Director at Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.

Town Branch Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey is designed to balance the liveliness of younger rye with the depth of older, more mature rye. Town Branch 7-Year Kentucky Single Malt Whiskey explores the potential of American Single Malt Whiskey, offering consumers the assurance of an age statement comparable to globally recognized Single Malts.

Both allocated whiskeys will be available for release later in the year, following the new blend of Town Branch Kentucky Straight Bourbon – 90 Proof, which is now available on shelves nationwide.

Brand Highlights:

Town Branch®️ Kentucky Straight Bourbon – 90 Proof (SRP $39.99/750ml)

• Crafted for those who appreciate diverse whiskey styles from around the world, this bourbon elegantly balances the flavors imparted by each barrel by an enhanced focus on blending, resulting in its signature 90 proof, non-chill filtered bottling. Recognized for exceptional quality, Town Branch has received numerous accolades and has been featured in Liquor.com’s list of the 12 Best Kentucky Bourbons to Drink.
• Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Mash Bill: 72% Corn / 15% Rye / 13% Malted Barley
• Age: Blended; 5-years to 8-years age range
• ABV: 45% / 90 Proof
• Estimated Availability: Nationwide Availability

Town Branch®️ Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey – 100 Proof (SRP $49.99/750ml)

• This 100-proof small batch rye whiskey offers youthful spicy aromas and flavors balanced by rich and mature notes of vanilla, oak and tropical fruits. Previously recognized by Forbes as one of the Best Rye Whiskeys, it continues to stand out for its exceptional character.
• Classification: Kentucky Straight Rye
• Mash Bill: 90% Rye / 5% Corn / 5% Malted Barley
• Age: Blended; 4-years to 9-years age range
• ABV: 50% / 100 Proof
• Estimated Availability: Annual Release in August; est. 1,000 cases annual

Town Branch®️ 7yr Kentucky Single Malt Whiskey – 87 Proof (SRP $49.99/750ml)

• Made from 100% malted barley and aged for a minimum of 7 years in Town Branch’s own used Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale barrels, Town Branch boasts the oldest Kentucky Single Malt stocks in the world. Bottled at 87 proof and non-chill filtered, it offers an exceptionally balanced profile that has garnered high praise receiving several medals and accolades including a Gold Medal and 93 points from the Beverage Testing Institute (BTI).
• Classification: American Single Malt / Kentucky Single Malt
• Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
• Age: Single Malt; 7-years to 10-years age range
• ABV: 43.5% / 87 Proof
• Estimated Availability: Annual Release in October; est. 1,000 cases annual

About the Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.:
Located in Lexington, Kentucky, Lexington Brewing Co. was originally established in 1890 and revitalized in 1999 by the late Pearse Lyons and his son Mark Lyons, evolving into Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. with the addition of Town Branch Distillery. Pearse Lyons was a pioneering Irish entrepreneur and scientist with a master’s degree in brewing and a Ph.D. in yeast fermentation. He also founded Alltech, a global leader in animal health and nutrition. Today, both Alltech and Lexington Brewing & Distilling are led by his son, Mark Lyons, who represents the seventh generation of the Lyons family in the brewing, distilling, and cooperage industry. Lexington Brewing & Distilling is renowned for its Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale® and Town Branch Distillery, which is a proud member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®. Committed to sustainability, every emptied barrel is upcycled from the distillery to the brewery to create exceptional beer and spirits. For more information, visit www.lexingtonbrewingco.com, or join the conversation Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

About Town Branch Distillery:
Located in Lexington, Kentucky, Town Branch Distillery is notable as the first new distillery to open in the city since Prohibition. It is part of Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co., the only brewery and distillery on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®️. The distillery produces several acclaimed spirits, including Town Branch Bourbon, Town Branch True Cask Bourbon, Town Branch Overproof Whiskey, Town Branch Rye, Town Branch Malt, and Bluegrass Sundown, a Bourbon-infused coffee liqueur. Town Branch upcycles every used barrel to craft a variety of whiskeys and barrel-aged beers, such as Lexington’s flagship Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale. This process ensures each barrel’s legacy continues within our diverse product line. For more details, visit www.lexingtonbrewingco.com, or join the conversation Facebook or Instagram.

About Kentucky®️ Barrel-Aged Beers:
Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co., the only brewery and distillery on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®️, specializes in the art of barrel-aging beer. As one of the largest barrel-aged beer brands globally, Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. leverages its access to freshly decanted Kentucky Bourbon barrels to craft a unique style of beer. Offerings include the renowned Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale®, Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Imperial Milk Stout, Kentucky Vanilla Barrel Cream Ale, Kentucky Pumpkin Barrel Ale, and a selection of Kentucky® Barrel-Aged Seasonal and Specialty releases. Upcycling its own bourbon barrels enhances the quality of its barrel-aged beers with a distinct character that sets them apart from other breweries in America. For more information, visit www.lexingtonbrewingco.com, or join the conversation Facebook or Instagram.

About Alltech:
Founded in 1980 by Irish entrepreneur and scientist Dr. Pearse Lyons and now led by his son Dr. Mark Lyons, Alltech is a global leader in agriculture, committed to providing smarter and more sustainable solutions. With over 40 years of scientific research backing its work, Alltech offers a diverse range of products and services designed to enhance the health and performance of plants and animals. This, in turn, leads to improved nutrition, reduced environmental impact, and advanced innovation in the field. Alltech’s portfolio includes specialty ingredients, premix supplements, feed, and biologicals, all underpinned by a strong scientific foundation and a commitment to adaptability. As a private, family-owned company, Alltech emphasizes quick responses to customer needs and fosters a unique, entrepreneurial culture. Headquartered near Lexington, Kentucky, Alltech operates in over 120 countries with five bioscience centers and more than 80 manufacturing facilities worldwide. Their mission, encapsulated in their purpose of “Working Together for a Planet of Plenty™,” focuses on providing nutrition for all, revitalizing local economies, and replenishing the planet’s natural resources. For more information, visit www.alltech.com, or join the conversation on Facebook and LinkedIn.

The Lassies Only Whisky Festival

If there is a group that continues to be underappreciated for their love and interest in whisky, it is women. The simple enjoyment of whisky can still sometimes come off as a 40+ year old man’s exclusive playground. And I am not just saying that because I belong to the demographic. Maybe it is due to tone-deaf marketing. Perhaps it is the confusion and worry that staring at a monumental wall of whisky bottles can foster. Possibly, it is the often impenetrable wall of faux-intellectual gibberish about bottles and dates and styles that any group of anoraks gets into.

We sometimes forget that whisky should be fun and inclusive for everyone who is curious about it. As long as they of legal drinking age, of course.

If you are female with have any interest in tasting whisky or learning more about it, then KWM’s 5th Lassies Only Whisky Festival is for you. Whether you are a seasoned expert or somebody new to sipping whisky on its own — our goal is to make this festival for you.

At this festival, it is Lassies Only for attendees. The people pouring and talking about the whisky behind the tables are also female when possible — this is about showcasing the women that work in the whisky world as much as we can. Myself and the other male staff at KWM will take a back seat and stick to refilling water stations and emptying spit buckets for the most part.

Gender exclusivity is not something we are keen on pushing. Providing a safe and fun space for the enjoyment of whisky around International Women’s Day is a tradition we are proud of, though. We hope to continue with this festival for a long time.

All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to The Brenda Strafford Foundation’s Heart Home Network of Calgary, which provides support and services for victims of domestic and family violence.

If you are female, or know women that would be interested in doing something a little different to celebrate International Women’s Day, tickets can be found here:

The 5th Annual Lassie’s Only Whisky Festival at Kensington Wine Market

Friday, March 7th from 7 PM to 9 PM

Tickets are $50 with the proceeds being donated to The Brenda Strafford Foundation’s Heart Home Network of Calgary.

403-283-8000

888-283-9004

Regular Store Hours

Mon-Wed 10 AM – 8 PM

Thurs & Fri 10 AM – 9 PM

Sat 10 AM – 8 PM

Sun 11 AM to 6 PM

Our exclusive release.
Last few bottles remaining.

AWS team had the enormous pleasure of meeting with Morrison Distillers at their new Aberargie Distillery; during that visit, we came across a parcel of Bowmore single malt, which was distilled in 1996 and bottled in 2019 after maturing for 22 years in a single hogshead. After trying this incredible malt with light smoke and tropical fruit notes, we jumped at the chance to buy the remaining stock and relabel it for our store.

Bowmore 22 Years Old 1996 

Cask 901271

NOW £195.00

WAS £220.00

SHOP NOW

Bowmore is proudly the oldest distillery on the Isle of Islay. Officially established in 1779 by John P. Simson, though local archivists suggest distilling began in Bowmore almost ten years earlier.

John passed the ownership to William and James Mutter in 1837 before his passing. The Mutter family transformed the distillery’s small artisan operation to a thriving commercial distillery. Many production techniques they produced are still used today.

In 1887 the distillery ownership was sold to John Bell Sherriff of Campbeltown. It became Bowmore Distillery Company. Unfortunately, in an unexpected turn of events, it entered admission just 3 years later. Due to hard economic times Bowmore distillery served as a soup kitchen for the next 30 years under the eclectic group of four investors.

The Sherriff family re-purchased the distillery in 1925, and ran a successful business for 15 years before production was halted in 1940 due to the war. For the next 3 years the distillery was used for three squadrons operation.

Tenmile Distillery Little Rest American Single Malt Whisky

(750ml)

$85.00

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The Tenmile distillery was founded on one simple principle – if the best people take the best ingredients and use the finest time-tested techniques, you’ll make one of the world’s finest products. Founded in Wassaic, New York on the edge of the Hudson Valley, the gorgeous distillery built in within the walls of an old dairy farm is result of countless hard lessons in doing things the right way. Founder John Dyson was a prominent New Yorker before purchasing and revitalizing the famous Sonoma Pinot Noir producer William Selyem, but his love for the Hudson Valley runs deep. After graduating Cornell Agriculture school, it took a lifetime of hard work to bring John back to this place to create a new standard for American single malt as he had done with American wine. Though Tenmile River meanders east toward the Housatonic, but we’re lucky to have their Little Rest Single Malt out west finally. K&L is the first store to stock this exceptional and highly sought-after single malt in California. Their flagship offering, distilled by renowned master Shane Fraser on Tenmile’s perfect pair of Forsyths pot stills, is a marriage of ex-bourbon, oloroso sherry and red wine barrels. Expect a creamy malty mocha character supported by baked apples, dark chocolate, and juicy caramel sauce. Easily one of the top American Single Malts available today.

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

JAPANESE WHISKY OFFERS

TRY SOMETHING NEW THIS FEBRUARY

Since we first brought a Japanese single malt to the UK two decades ago, we at The Whisky Exchange are passionate about the exquisite and diverse whiskies of Japan. And in February, we’re delighted to bring you some truly incredible Japanese single malts and blends for exceptional prices, as part of our February offers.

Our offers include customer favourites like Hakushu Distiller’s Reserve to great drams from exciting newer distilleries like Chichibu Red Wine Cask 2023 and Kanosuke’s limited-edition Single Malt 2023, with discounts of up to £300.

 SHOP OFFERS 

Complex, elegant, and full of character, our inaugural expression is a delicious dram which unfolds in your glass, revealing itself over time, just like the island itself. Made to our carefully refined blenders’ recipe, we combine spirits which have been matured by the coastal village of Ardhasaig in selected first fill Ex-Bourbon casks, first fill Ex-Oloroso and Fino sherry butts.

We then marry these spirits in batches for a minimum of 12 weeks to bring additional harmony to the final dram. The result is an Outer Hebridean single malt of distinction we’re proud to bottle and bear our elemental island’s name.

Enjoy neat, with a small drop of water, or simply any way you like it…

MEET THE HEARACH

ORDER YOUR BOTTLE OF THE HEARACH

Bruichladdich 19YO End OF Message Wine Cask

THE REVIEW

Part two, and the final release in this weird and wonderful collection of single barrels from Bruichladdich. Bottled as a duo in a private cask purchase, just like the previous bottling, this was fully matured in an ex-Chateau d’Yquem barrel for nearly two decades! Bottled at cask strength with all of the fun things that accompany that, this is one of the reasons Bruichladdich have built such an incredible reputation for themselves. However, not every single barrel can be perfect on everyone’s palate.

This bottle sings of honeycomb, gingerbread, Bakewell tarts, glacier cherries and sweet almonds for as long as you could want. However, in a twist I wasn’t expecting we do get quite a dominant note of sulphur on this bottle. I’m unsure if this is from so long in a sweet wine cask, or if it’s Laddie’s spirit still being dominant in the mix after all of that time. Bruichladdich is known for having a very divisive new-make spirit. Some folks I’ve met in the whisky industry can barely spend more than a few minutes within the distillery as the aromas of their new make can be very butyric. It has a very acidic and almost blue cheese funkiness to it, that’s without being peated, too.

You get both cask and spirit within this and as much as it is a privilege to be able to try something as old and fun as this, it’s memorable but won’t be for everyone.

Chivas Brothers releases half year results, demonstrating resilience amidst complex market dynamics

Chivas Brothers, the Pernod Ricard business dedicated to Scotch whisky, today announced its H1 FY25 (July 2024 – December 2024) financial results with organic net sales down -2%, due to a slow first quarter with gradual recovery in the second.

This modest dip reflects the complex market dynamics seen across the wider Scotch category, alongside ongoing global economic headwinds. Chivas Brothers’ strategic brand performance contrasts across key drive markets, with softening partially mitigated by the business’ broad and balanced global footprint. The company remains in growth at +5% on a five year comparison basis.

Emerging markets such as Turkey (+56%), Brazil (+8%) and India (+1%) generated positivity for key strategic brands Chivas Regal and Ballantine’s as consumers continue to seek out and trade up to premium Scotch whisky. This is contrasted by ongoing challenging conditions in other markets, with dynamics in the US (-10%) and China (-19%) particularly impacting strategic brands across the breadth of the Chivas Brothers portfolio.

Chivas Brothers’ Chairman and CEO, Jean-Etienne Gourgues, commented:

“Our H1 FY25 performance reflects the complexity of the global Scotch market, along with the agility and resilience of our organisation. While we remain realistic about short-term challenges, we’re taking a dynamic approach to investments in our brands and in our business to help navigate through these headwinds while preserving our long-term ambition.”  

Performance across strategic brands

Ballantine’s global sales saw strong growth of +8%, driven by the iconic Ballantine’s Finest which increased sales in most of its strategic markets.

Chivas Regal grew by +3%, supported by consumer appetite of its beloved Chivas 12 and Chivas 18 offerings as well as intrigue for innovative new product launches such as Chivas Regal Extra Smoky Cask, which saw strong performance in its launch market of Turkey towards the tail end of the half.

The Glenlivet global sales softened -9% as a result of challenging US and Asian market dynamics, but saw growth in South Africa and India.

Royal Salute experienced a -20% decline as a result of tightened consumer spending across key Asian markets, with the exception of Taiwan where appetite for Royal Salute’s signature blends persists.

Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon

(700ml)

(European Import)

$209.99

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While we’re committed to offering rare bourbon at standard mark up, we’re also not blind to the fact that the market is on fire for these special products. While our competitors charge north of $150 for the standard expression of Blanton’s, we’re still only asking $55. That’s while it can feel so hard to get some of these rare bourbons at K&L. So when the opportunity came up to purchase these re-imported stocks, I insisted that we do so in a fair an equitable way. Of course we could charge $400 a bottle for this special bourbon and likely still sell most of it, but it just goes against my ethos of what a great wine and spirits store should be for their customers. So while these stocks are above standard price for this US version of this product, they’re being offered at our standard mark up, well below market price. It’s a small price to pay for access to these special stocks, especially when considering what the market seems to be comfortable charging for the standard release. In any case, this is dang good bourbon and never disappoints. Like all Blanton’s it’s aged in the famous warehouse H and is the high rye mashbill. This bottle is drawn from barrel No. 397, which was dumped on February 7th of 2022 and bottled at 63.05%. Your bottle will almost certainly be different, so please be aware of the unique character of each barrel. The nose is absolutely explosive with rich aromas of caramel sauce, orange peel, Tahitian vanilla, cherry compote and vibrant woody spice. The palate starts extremely sweet and creamy before the rye and barrel spice begin to wallop the mid-palate. The intense spice and old school woody character balances the heavy woody sugars perfectly and while exhibiting plenty of the Kentucky Hug that bourbon lovers enjoy, it doesn’t feel burn-y or ethanol like at all. The long chewy palate gives way to a rich oxidative finish full of nutty sweet chocolate and dried red fruits. A few drops of water add more fruit and tame the spice a bit, but I like this best right out of the bottle. There’s no question that the price of entry on this one is high, but if you’re prepared to spend this kind of dough on any other modern bourbon this should be a contender for top dog!

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Highland

Timorous Beastie Meet the Beast

ABV: 54.3% | Vol: 70cl

The latest Timorous Beastie ‘MEET THE BEAST’ limited edition is here and more monstrous than ever! This new release features an incredible, innovative ‘Illusion’ pack which brings this special bottling to life! Using specially designed glasses, included in pack, get ready to MEET THE BEAST lurking.

£38.00

Regular price £65.00

The original Timorous Beastie, immortalised in Robert Burns’ famous Scots poem “To a Mouse” was a timid, little field mouse. Echoing our national bard’s wit, ours is most certainly not for the fainthearted! Inside there’s a medley of vanilla, malted barley, meringue, honey and citrus flavours just bursting to be unleashed… Part of the Remarkable Regional Malts range, the ultimate distillation of Scotland’s Malt Whisky Regions.