Town Branch Single Malt 11 Year Cask Strength 750ML

Town Branch Single Malt 11 Year Cask Strength 750ML is a limited-release Kentucky single malt whiskey bottled at 55% ABV (110.2 proof) in a 750ml bottle. This expression earned a Gold Medal and Best Small Batch Single Malt 12 Years & Under at the 2023 World Whiskies Awards, along with a Double Gold at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. With only approximately 3,300 bottles produced, it stands as one of the more compelling American single malts available.

Quick Facts: ABV: 55% (110.2 proof)  |  Origin: Lexington, Kentucky, USA  |  11 Year Age Statement  |  Distillery: Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.

Production & Heritage

Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. operates in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region, producing both craft beer and whiskey. This 11-year single malt is made from 100% malted barley and spent its entire maturation period in ex-Oloroso sherry casks — a critical distinction from many American single malts that simply finish in sherry wood after primary aging in bourbon barrels. The whiskey is bottled at full cask strength without chill filtration, preserving the texture and flavor intensity imparted by over a decade in rich sherry-seasoned oak.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Deep crimson hues in the glass signal what follows on the nose — waves of dark chocolate, dried dark fruit, and cocoa powder. A malty sweetness sits beneath, with faint spice emerging as the whiskey opens up.

Taste: The entry is dense and fruit-forward, with chocolate-covered raspberries arriving immediately on the palate. Mid-palate, heavy cocoa and elegant malt weave together, while the cask strength proof carries substantial weight without becoming harsh. A juicy fruit note persists throughout, balanced by deep barrel character that keeps asserting itself.

Finish: Long, warming, and tannic, with black pepper, cocoa, and dark fruit lingering well after each sip. The sherry influence stays present through the entire finish, with drying tannins and a final pulse of spice.

How to Drink Town Branch 11 Year

At 110.2 proof, this whiskey rewards patience — try it neat first, then add a few drops of water to unlock additional fruit and malt complexity beneath the cask strength intensity. The robust sherry character and high proof also make it a powerful cocktail anchor. A Rob Roy benefits from the deep fruit and chocolate notes pairing naturally with sweet vermouth. A Blood and Sand works exceptionally well, as the dark fruit profile reinforces the cocktail's cherry and orange components. A simple Whiskey Highball with chilled soda water stretches the sherry-driven richness into a surprisingly refreshing long drink.

Best For

• Gifting a whiskey collector who tracks limited-production American single malts
• Side-by-side tastings comparing sherry-matured Scotch and American single malts
• Celebrating a milestone occasion with a cask strength pour meant for slow sipping
• Adding a rare Kentucky expression to a home whiskey library

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Town Branch 11 Year taste like? The dominant profile centers on dark chocolate, cocoa, and rich dark fruits like raspberry, driven by 11 full years in ex-Oloroso sherry casks. The cask strength bottling adds a warming, peppery backbone with substantial tannic grip on the finish.

How does Town Branch 11 Year compare to Aberlour A'bunadh? Both are cask strength, non-chill filtered, sherry cask single malts, but Town Branch is a Kentucky-distilled American single malt with an 11-year age statement, while A'bunadh is a Speyside Scotch released as a no-age-statement expression. Town Branch's full maturation in Oloroso casks — rather than a mix of first-fill and refill sherry butts — gives it a notably concentrated dark fruit and chocolate character.

Is Town Branch 11 Year good for sipping neat? Yes — though the 110.2 proof is assertive, the non-chill filtered bottling and 11 years of sherry cask aging deliver enough depth and complexity to reward neat sipping. A few drops of water help tame the alcohol and reveal additional fruit layers.

Where is Town Branch 11 Year made? It is distilled and matured at Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. in Lexington, Kentucky, in the heart of the Bluegrass region known for bourbon and thoroughbred horse farms.

What foods pair well with Town Branch 11 Year? Dark chocolate truffles mirror the whiskey's prominent cocoa and chocolate notes. Aged Manchego cheese complements the Oloroso sherry cask influence. Lamb chops with a blackberry reduction echo the dark fruit character. Fig and walnut tart balances sweetness against the tannic finish. Charcuterie featuring aged salami provides a savory counterpoint to the whiskey's fruit richness.

What sizes does Town Branch 11 Year come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, consistent with its limited-edition production run of approximately 3,300 bottles.

Is Town Branch 11 Year worth the price? This expression positions as a premium, limited-production American single malt, and its 11-year age statement, cask strength bottling, full Oloroso sherry maturation, and multiple award wins — including a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition — place it competitively among top-tier American single malts.

Why Town Branch 11 Year?

The defining feature here is commitment to a single cask type for the entire aging process. Where many distillers age in standard bourbon barrels and transfer to sherry casks for a final few months of finishing, this whiskey lived in ex-Oloroso sherry wood for all 11 years — and the difference shows in the depth of its dark fruit and chocolate character. Scoring 94 points at the 2020 Ultimate Spirits Competition and earning Best Small Batch Single Malt 12 Years & Under at the 2023 World Whiskies Awards confirms this approach delivers results. With roughly 3,300 bottles produced, it represents a genuinely scarce entry in the rapidly growing American single malt category and a serious statement from a Kentucky distillery more commonly associated with bourbon country traditions.