Town Branch Small Batch Straight Rye Whiskey Review

Distillery: Lexington Brewing and Distilling Co. – Lexington, Kentucky

Proof: 100.0 (50.0% ABV)

Age: Four+ Years

Mashbill: 90% Rye, 5% Corn, 5% Malted Barley

MSRP: $48

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An Honest Straight Rye.  No Distractions. No Noise.

Town Branch Small Batch Straight Rye Whiskey is bottled at 100 proof and produced by Lexington Brewing and Distilling Co., with a mashbill that leans heavily into rye at 90%, supported by 5% corn and 5% malted barley.  With no secondary finishing, no elevated proof, and no stated age, this is a traditional straight rye that relies on the whiskey itself rather than embellishment or enhancement.

This is a rye that isn’t about making a big first impression, but about how well everything comes together in the glass.  With minimal corn sweetness to soften edges and no secondary finishing to redirect  attention, we can stay focused on how the rye grain, oak aging, and proof interact.  That makes this bottle particularly useful as a reference point for understanding how rye performs when clarity is in place.

Whiskeys like this one are less about first impressions.  Taken on its own terms, Town Branch Small Batch Straight Rye offers a straightforward look at how mashbill and proof take shape when the Distiller isn’t trying to cover anything up.

Town Branch Small Batch Straight Rye Whiskey Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 3.8/5

Mandarin orange.  Light orchard fruit.  Dry rye.  Soft oak.

Strengths:  First impression is brighter than you’d expect from a 100-proof, rye-heavy mashbill.  It comes across like peeling citrus fruit over a wooden cutting board.  Nothing feels candied or syrupy.  It presents as an invitation rather than a loud standout.
Why It’s Not Higher:  After that initial citrus, the Nose doesn’t really open up.  It stays in the same lane, bright and dry, never developing a deeper layer (darker spice, richer grain, or increasing oak accent) that would make you want to continue nosing.
Rating Justification: A pleasant, honest Nose.  Doesn’t really offer enough range to feel compelling.

Palate – 4.1/5

Sweet mint (teaberry).  Herbal rye.  Firm oak backbone.

Strengths:  The Palate is where this rye gets its identity.  The teaberry note doesn’t read like mouthwash or menthol.  It’s more like the sweet minty edge you get from wintergreen gum, but toned down and wrapped into the whiskey.  It adds some brightness without turning the rye sweet.
Why It’s Not Higher:  The Palate stays a little too “same-speed.”  Once the teaberry note shows up, it doesn’t build into a second act.  No deeper spice, no richer grain development, no moment where the whiskey delivers a surprise.
Rating Justification: A distinctive sweet-mint signature.  Limited progression across the sip keeps it from feeling more complete.

Finish – 3.6/5

Dry rye spice.  Light char.  Fading herbal mint.

Strengths:  The Finish stays clean and tidy.  Doesn’t turn bitter.  Doesn’t collapse into oak tannin.  The mint-herbal thread carries through just enough to feel consistent with the Palate.
Why It’s Not Higher:  The close is not memorable.  The mint fades faster than you might want.  The remaining dryness and light char don’t leave a distinct impression.
Rating Justification:  A well-behaved Finish.  Length is moderate at best.  Doesn’t land with any significant emphasis.

Value – 3.8/5

At an MSRP of $48, Town Branch Small Batch Straight Rye Whiskey isn’t trying to compete on age, proof, or finishing techniques. Its value shows up in how clearly it presents itself.  This is a rye that gives you the opportunity to understand what you’re drinking without having to decode layers of barrel influence or finishing decisions.

For enthusiasts looking to better understand rye on its own terms, that clarity has value.  You’re paying for a whiskey that is predictable, tastes honest to its mashbill, and doesn’t rely on added polish.  While it won’t satisfy those who are chasing intensity or novelty, it earns its keep as a dependable, thoughtfully made straight rye.

Town Branch Small Batch Straight Rye Whiskey Review: The Verdict

Town Branch Small Batch Straight Rye Whiskey isn’t built to impress quickly.  It’s built to hold together. From Nose to Finish, it stays composed, avoids excess, and consistently shows the same dry, herbal, mint-leaning rye character without drifting from its core character.

That is both its strength and its limitation.  The whiskey stays true to itself, but it also never fully stretches beyond its core profile.  For enthusiasts who are willing to slow down and pay attention, it offers a clear example of what a disciplined, traditional rye looks like when there’s nothing to hide behind.  It may not demand repeat pours for excitement, but it earns respect for how cleanly it executes its stated straight rye intent.

Verdict – 3.8/5

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