Press Release: Town Branch IMPERIUM MMXXIV Kentucky Straight Bourbon Release Limited Annual Wheated Bourbon Blend

Town Branch Distillery, the main distilling arm of Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.—the only brewery and distillery on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®—is excited to announce the release of Town Branch Imperium MMXXIV Kentucky Straight Bourbon, just before the closing bell of National Bourbon Heritage Month. This special annual release features a new wheated bourbon mash bill, comprising 50% of the blend, along with only the finest barrels hand-selected for this year’s blend. Bottled at 96 proof and non-chill filtered, this limited-release bourbon has a suggested retail price of $119.99 for a 750ml bottle and will be available in select states across the U.S.

Town Branch® IMPERIUM MMXXIV Kentucky Straight Bourbon – 96 Proof

Town Branch Imperium MMXXIV Bourbon (MMXXIV – 2024 Release) marks the highly anticipated inaugural release of a whiskey that has been years in the making. Each barrel extracted from the rickhouse undergoes meticulous inspection and tasting before being selected for final production in the various offerings at Town Branch. “Each barrel tells us a story, and each product crafted from those barrels continues to tell that story. Imperium, simply put, commands the best of the best – end of story.” says Dave Bob Gaspar, National Brand Manager. Every year, as Town Branch’s production team diligently works, they seek out those exceptional, one-in-a-hundred barrels that can be used to create something extraordinary.  These barrels are stored away onsite as Imperium stocks, destined for greater glory.

With the maturation of a new wheated bourbon mash bill at its prime, the distillery has started actively blending these barrels into the Town Branch lineup—such as Town Branch Overproof Whiskey, which contains 10% Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon. They have also been setting aside some of the finest barrels from this mash bill for Imperium. In addition to these wheated bourbon barrels, select barrels from the traditional Kentucky Straight Bourbon mash bill have been collected. Imperium represents an exploration of blending only the best bourbons conscripted from all mash bills to create something truly unique. This bourbon offers a whiskey profile all its own—there are no other Town Branch Bourbons like it. It showcases the best of both worlds, combining sweet wheat with Town Branch’s signature orchard and stone fruit flavors, all blended and bottled at the peak of maturity.

Each year, barrels set aside for Imperium stocks will be carefully reviewed, and the blending of the finest selections will commence. The final product will feature the Roman numerals of the release year and will be offered as an extremely limited 6-10 barrel blend, making it truly small batch. This annual release celebrates Bourbon Heritage Month, reflecting the distillery’s commitment to crafting the best bourbon possible.

Brand Highlights:

Town Branch IMPERIUM MMXXIV Kentucky Straight Bourbon (SRP $119.99/750ml)

• A 50/50 blend of our finest bourbon barrels—50% Kentucky Straight Bourbon mash bill barrels and 50% Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon mash bill barrels. Released annually during National Bourbon Heritage Month, this bourbon is marked by the year of release in Roman numerals, with a distinct proof and limited quantity.
• Mash Bill: Multiple Kentucky Straight Bourbon Barrels
  • Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (72C / 15R / 13B)
    • SN 3397 / Fill Date: September 13, 2016 (Aged 8 years, 2 months)
    • SN 3466 / Fill Date: October 1, 2016 (Aged 8 years, 1 month)
    • SN 3947 / Fill Date: February 12, 2017 (Aged 7 years, 8 months)
  • Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey (70C / 22W / 8B)
    • SN 8630 / Fill Date: March 03, 2018 (Aged 6 years, 7 months)
    • SN 8654 / Fill Date: March 03, 2018 (Aged 6 years, 7 months)
    • SN 8686 / Fill Date: April 24, 2018 (Aged 6 years, 5 months)
• Age: MMXXIV Release – Barrel Aged 6 to 8 Years
• ABV: 48% / 96 Proof
• Estimated Availability: Very Limited Annual Release
• Tasting Notes:
  • Appearance: Light Mahogany
  • Aroma: Sweet Caramel, Floral, Oak, & Toasted Vanilla
  • Palate: Cloves, Dry Oak, Pecan Parline Candy, Caramel, Apricot, Custard, Pastry, Ripe Black Cherry
  • Finish: Medium silky, gentle finish with sweet mature oak, toasted almonds and all spice