Distillery: Lexington Distilling Co – Lexington, Kentucky
Proof: 104.0 (52.0% ABV)
Age: At least Four Years
Mashbill: Undisclosed
MSRP: $42
Four-style Kentucky blend. Bourbon-forward structure. Double oak influence. Cocktail-intent design. Neat sipping appropriate.
Town Branch Overproof Four Barrel Kentucky Straight Whiskey is a 2024 release built on a layered blending concept rather than a singular mash bill identity. The whiskey combines:
- 70% Kentucky straight bourbon – 72% Corn, 15% Rye, 13% Malted Barley
- 10% Kentucky straight wheated bourbon – 70% Corn, 22% Wheat, 8% Malted Barley
- 10% Kentucky straight double oak bourbon – 72% Corn, 15% Rye, 13% Malted Barley
- 10% Kentucky straight rye whiskey – 90% Rye, 5% Corn, 5% Malted Barley
This creates a compounded mash bill of 65.1% Corn, 21% Rye, 2.2% Wheat and 11.7% Malted Barley. There is a lot going on here and all of it is good. It’s bourbon-led with touches of wheat softening its edges, and deepening sweetness from the double oak influence while the rye provides spice. At 104 proof, it sits in a space that promises intensity but stops short of barrel-proof.
Town Branch positions this expression as cocktail-enhancing yet fully capable of standing alone. That dual purpose can be risky and there are others on the market that lay a similar claim which don’t measure up to both neat and cocktails. Here, Town Branch threaded the needle and made it happen.
Town Branch Overproof Four Barrel Whiskey (2026 Release) Review: Tasting Notes
Nose – 4.6/5
Caramel candy. Toffee. Brown sugar. Subtle toasted oak.
The Nose is sweet and decadent…..unexpectedly so for 104 proof. Instead of ethanol-forward sharpness, the profile leans confectionary. If you could see aromas in color, this would sit somewhere between dark gold and light brown….rich and noble.
Strengths: Concentrated sweetness. Excellent proof integration. Inviting depth.
Why It’s Not Higher: Complexity favors sweetness over grain notes.
Rating Justification: The Nose exceeds expectations for its proof. Delivers rich notes but maintains its balance against going desert like.
Palate – 4.6/5
Baked bread. Cinnamon butter. Toasted oak. Black pepper.
The proof shows up early, but it doesn’t overwhelm. Instead, it activates the flavors. Mid-palate expands evenly rather than spikes. The rye surfaces later, offering a black pepper kick that keeps the sweetness from becoming heavy.
Strengths: Structured heat. Layered sweetness. Evolves nicely mid-Palate.
Why It’s Not Higher: Grain notes are secondary to oak-driven sweetness.
Rating Justification: Proof is used to structure the flavors rather than as an intensity gimmick.
Finish – 4.4/5
Decadent Oak. Cinnamon spice. Black pepper. Fading caramel.
The Finish is medium in length and with a lingering warmth. The black pepper note clearly shows up and prevents a syrupy fade.
Strengths: Controlled spice. Clean warmth.
Why It’s Not Higher: Length could extend further for a higher-tier score.
Rating Justification: Balanced and satisfying.
Value – 4.8/5
At $42, this sits in a highly competitive bracket. Few whiskeys at this price point offer: 104 proof presence with legitimate cocktail enhancement capability AND genuine sipping credibility, delivering on the brand’s stated promise. This is far from a one-trick mixing whiskey.
Town Branch Overproof Four Barrel Whiskey (2026 Release) Review: The Verdict
Town Branch Overproof Four Barrel Kentucky Straight Whiskey succeeds in its stated mission. This is not an effortless sipper. It demands attention. The 104 proof shows up early and asserts structure rather than flash. But it remains very drinkable neat, and it performs exceptionally well with a single rock, where the slight dilution unlocks additional sweetness and spice.
For enthusiasts who appreciate layered construction and proof used with intention rather than aggression, this earns your shelf space with confidence.
Verdict – 4.6/5
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
Mike Long is a staff writer at Bourbon Inspector and has an Executive Bourbon Steward designation from the Stave and Thief Society. He’s a former “wine guy” who discovered his love for bourbon years back at a spur-of-the-moment bourbon tasting he attended. He also loves traveling throughout America with his wife of over 37 years, Debby.