Town Branch Single Barrel Reserve Bourbon

Liquor Barn barrel pick, barrel #1260, bottle #83 of 206, barreled 10MAY2014 and bottled 03AUG2020. I don't know why I had the urge to buy this, other than it being a barrel pick, and for unknown reasons, I can't seem to resist that. Town Branch's standard bourbon is quite bad, but I remember their rye whiskey actually being decent. With this one not only being a single barrel, but also aged for just over 6 years, this may be enough to bring more excitable flavors to the party. There is a lot of ethanol on the nose, probably right on the line of it being too overpowering. I get some mild caramel scent, and some dark sugar, but I'm not totally convinced that it's brown sugar, if that makes any sense. The taste starts by coating the gums, more so than expected for this proof. I was very fearful when black cherry was given as a tasting note on the bottle, but now that I'm tasting it, I can confirm that there is a dark berry flavor, but thankfuly it does not overwhelm the palate. The oak flavor also persists, but perhaps only as a toasted oak note instead of charred, as I'm not getting any of the typical vanilla or caramel notes anywhere. The finish is very hot, and really hammers home the main flavor that is stewed berries, almost that of a good Pinot Noir. I very much despise bourbons with fruity notes, which is usually a factor seen from younger offerings. However, this 6 year version is aged just long enough to forgive and forget grainy flavors of young bourbons, as the barrel has done sufficient work on mellowing it out, whereas the proof allows you to taste the flavors offered without any hesitation. If, for whatever strange reason, you're looking for a bourbon with fruity notes, but also one that's not boring, this is it.

When first poured in the glass, the nose was light, with hints of vanilla and brown sugar. The longer it sat, however, the worse it got. The nose changed to diesel fumes and the taste became super astringent (as if you accidentally swallowed some hand sanitizer) with a toxic aftertaste. I poured most of the glass back into the bottle. Also sent an email to the distillery to advise them of this undrinkable concoction.

Town Branch Visitor Center Single Barrel Reserve- Lot 16K03 Nose: don’t get too much on the smell. A little oak. Taste: I get caramel with a heat. The heat goes down as I keep drinking. Finish: medium finish but I just get heat with some caramel. Water?: Yes. I think I do like it better with a little water. It takes some of the heat out and I get more caramel and a sweet heat.

Way too berry forward for me. Its too much! You smell it on the nose, slight whiskey taste first sip, then it quickly disappears and you taste berries again throughout the finish. I dont taste anything other than berries and won’t buy this again. Hard pass for me.

This basement floor musty scent, with brown sugar and caramel. All come across the pallete with flying colors for a vibrant flavor filled bourbon. This is a store pick from Hamilton liquor in Chattanooga. For 43.99 a bottle this is a must buy.

Not bad neat. Would probably drink over ice or water. Fruit forward on the palate, with a rapid shift to caramel and cinnamon. Slight warmth in the throat.