Town Branch (Alltech Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.)

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401 Cross St., Lexington, KY 40508
kentuckyale.com, 859-255-2337

PRODUCTS: Town Branch Bourbon, Pearse Lyons Reserve, Town Branch Rye, Bluegrass Sundown (bourbon-infused coffee liqueur)

Town Branch, located in downtown Lexington and named for a creek that runs beneath the city, is the only stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail where you can sample both craft beer—including the award-winning Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale—and bourbon. In 1999, Irish entrepreneur Dr. Pearse Lyons, the founder and president of Alltech, a global animal health and nutrition company based in Lexington, acquired the 200-year-old Lexington Brewing Co. He broke ground on Town Branch Distillery in the fall of 2011 and it joined the Trail in 2012.

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Tours begin with the brewing operation (and samples) and end with bourbon tastings in the light-filled room of the Kentucky limestone distillery building that houses its two copper pot stills, imported from Scotland. At 80 proof, Town Branch Bourbon is a little on the light side; if the cask strength is available, go for that. Town Branch Rye is also nice.

 

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The Bourbon Babe