Town Branch Single Barrel Reserve Straight Rye Whiskey

Bottled by Liquor Barn, barrel #2675, bottle #59, from December 2015 to May 2021, at 50.5% ABV. I finally located a single barrel of this rye. I visited the distillery frequently during the summer, inquiring about a single barrel rye and drinking whatever else seemed appealing at the bar while planning my next search expedition. This distillery has always struck me as somewhat peculiar, and I believe I've discerned the reason while writing this review. Typically, American distilleries establish secondary distilleries once they achieve success, often for friendly rivalry, to increase profits, or to explore different spirits or climates, sometimes in other nations. In Town Branch's case, THEY are the experiment, with their "sister distillery" in Europe serving as the primary, secure venture. Regardless, the new rye whiskey in the square bottle is vastly superior to the one in the tall, rounded-shoulder bottle. Having finally found a single barrel, I'm eager to trace the journey of its flavors. It presents a typical dark caramel hue for a rye whiskey aged this long, yet it's slightly deeper than the standard batch of this same whiskey. Sweet molasses and strong cinnamon contend on the nose, ultimately resulting in a muddled, spicy blend of aromas. I'm attempting to overlook the remarkably low rye content in the mash bill, but the sweet corn notes on the nose make this quite challenging. I hope this isn't a flawed barrel, as I quite enjoy the regular batch. Wow. The taste is intensely malty and spicy, reminiscent of a single malt whiskey with added capsaicin. A low rye content is one thing, but barely exceeding the legal minimum for rye is quite disappointing, and the flavor clearly reflects this. Even the burn on the palate leaves much to be desired, and adding air only intensifies the sugary corn sweetness, making me forget I'm drinking rye. Despite the sweet, malty finish, after some time, there's just enough rye remaining in the aroma and on the palate to prevent it from being a completely unpalatable attempt at a proper rye whiskey. For the life of me, I can't comprehend how the standard batch rye whiskey I tasted just a few weeks ago could taste so drastically different, simply because it's a single barrel. It's truly a pity, but I'm glad it wasn't expensive, and I still have something to add to my barrel picks collection. Still, the time spent searching for this was definitely regrettable. Had I recalled the low rye percentage from the start, I might have abandoned the search. However, the appeal of barrel picks and the price point would likely have led me to purchase it anyway.

This is the finest sipping rye I’ve experienced. It’s also great over ice. Flavors of cinnamon, brown sugar, black pepper, and molasses are present. It has a pleasant spiciness that isn’t overpowering.