Row 94 Broken Branches Oak Stave Finished Bourbon Review

Distillery: Green River Distilling—Owensboro, KY; for Row 94, Nashville, TN

Proof: 100.0 (50.0% ABV)

Age: Five Years

Mashbill: 70% Corn, 21% Rye, 9% Malted Barley

MSRP: $99

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1500 Bottle Experiment – Rye Spice Meets Stave Finishing

Distilled by Green River Distilling Co. in Owensboro, Kentucky, Row 94 Broken Branches comes to market through a Nashville-based team led by Dierks Bentley.  Row 94 has leaned into oak stave finishing for this limited-edition release, aiming to bring some extra depth from a five-year-old bourbon.

Bottled at 100 proof from a mashbill of 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted barley, the base whiskey already serves to balance rye spice against a corn sweetness.  The secondary finishing process introduces additional oak staves into the barrel, a technique that can intensify the vanilla notes, caramelized sugars, and wood spice beyond what standard aging imparts.

With only 1,500 bottles available and an MSRP of $99, this bourbon aims to position itself as a collector’s piece while still carrying the proof and composition to appeal to serious tasters.  Let’s see if it measures up to both…..

Row 94 Broken Branches Oak Stave Finished Bourbon Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 4/5

Brown sugar.  Vanilla.  Roasted pecan.  Dried cherry.
Strengths:  Layers of sweetness and spice.  Well-defined oak notes.
Why It’s Not Higher:  A hint of sharp tannin hedges against the elegance.
Rating Justification:  Stave finishing clearly adds an intensity to the Nose.

Palate – 4/5

Caramel.  Charred oak.  Clove.  Black pepper.  Dark cocoa.
Strengths:  Robust mid‑Palate.  Balanced sweet–spice shows off the 21% rye well but holds it in check.
Why It’s Not Higher:  Dry oak works against the “plush” notes on the back half.
Rating Justification:  Flavor-forward.  A bit oak‑dominant.

Finish – 3.75/5

Charred oak.  Espresso bean.  Peppercorn.  Vanilla.  Cocoa.
Strengths:  Persistent wood‑spice.  Satisfying length.
Why It’s Not Higher:  Slight tannic bitterness comes in late.  Fades a bit too quickly.
Rating Justification:  A bit disjointed.  Length needs to be longer.

Value – 3.5/5

Positioned as a limited release with secondary finish distinctiveness, the $99 tag leans on the scarcity more than quality or an age‑to‑price ratio.  Enthusiasts curious about finishing may find merit.  Value seekers will want either more age or a touch less dry oak.

MaltyVerse – No Pressure Whiskey Review: The Verdict

An oak‑heavy expression that marries the layered Nose to a flavorful mid‑Palate.  The tannic Finish detracts.  The limited run adds collectability, while the pour itself lands in solid Silver territory–engaging, but just shy of the finesse and quality needed for Gold.

The limited run adds collectability, while the pour itself lands in solid Silver territory–engaging, but just shy of the finesse and quality needed for Gold. Shop now.

Verdict – 3.9/5

We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.

Scoring System:

• Platinum – 4.5 – 5
• Gold – 4 – 4.5
• Silver – 3 – 4
• Bronze – <3