Town Branch®️ Distillery Unveils New Whiskey Blending Strategy

February 12, 2025

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 12, 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

Image Assets: Town Branch®️ Distillery – Image Assets

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 orInstagram.

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.

Enjoy Like a True Kentuckian: Responsibly

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