Malt | Raspberry cream | Lemon | Light brown sugar | Vanilla bean | Light oak

Caramel | Burnt sugar | Browned butter | Orange cream

Almond cookie | Baking spices | Touch of black cherry | Slight stout-flavored aftertaste | Flash of heat | Touch on the dry side

Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. was a relatively early adopter of the American single malt scene. Having initially released one in 2019, they were forward-thinking for a company otherwise focused on Kentucky-made bourbon and beer. Sporting an impressive 7 year age statement and an accessible price, their American single malt is aged in the company’s own Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale barrels. This is to be expected given the single malt's very light color for its age. Even more surprising is that the company has also released a limited edition 11 Year Kentucky single malt aged in Oloroso sherry casks.

We visited this release in 2024, and though a few years have passed, the age statement is the same. The overall flavor profile hasn’t changed much either, except in a few areas. First, the aroma features a raspberry cream scent and a more pronounced lemon scent, a slight improvement from the past. On the palate, there is more burnt sugar and brown butter, along with a light orange cream note. Almond is once again present, but it seems to be more prominent this time at the start of the finish. Its previous dark fruit note now seems more concentrated on black cherry. Once again, it finishes with a slight stout-flavored aftertaste, which comes from being aged in ex-Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale barrels.

The main fault with Town Branch 7 Year Kentucky Single Malt is its overall lightness. Though that can be attributed to its 87 proof point, its flavor profile lacks immediate impact. With many on the fence regarding American single malts, that lightness could be a way to onboard folks, but those with experience will struggle to find something to grab on to. Its more focused flavor profile for this year’s release is welcomed, but its Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale barrels finish still remains far too removed, hovering in the background when that could be a real game changer and market differentiator. Town Branch 7 Year Kentucky Single Malt continues to be an easy sipper overall, but will need to make some changes if it hopes to gain a foothold in the American single malt market.