If you’ve never heard of the Colorado-based Branch & Barrel Distilling, you should know one important detail: the distillery’s goal is to make the “perfect Colorado bourbon”. This is easier said than done in a state that has become a haven for whiskey-makers in the last few decades. But they do it with Colorado-sourced ingredients and an “intentional” distilling process. And while the brand’s award-winning bourbon is noteworthy, it recently announced the launch of a rye whiskey.
Branch & Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey
This straight rye whiskey is made with hard winter rye that was grown in Colorado’s San Luis Valley along with water from the Rocky Mountain-fed Arapahoe Aquifer. After distillation, it was matured for at least 3 years. If its mash bill is any indication, even though it’s a rye whiskey, it will definitely appeal to bourbon drinkers.
That’s because it was made with a recipe featuring 51% rye, 40% corn, and 9% barley. The result is a corn-forward rye that will appeal to a wide range of whiskey drinkers.
“This is a bourbon-lover’s rye,” Mitchell Nester, Branch & Barrel’s Master Blender, says.
“Straight Rye Whiskey has all the dynamic flavor attributes you’d expect, but with the smoothness and balance of bourbon. The time spent aging this spirit in Colorado’s dramatic climate has resulted in a profile that showcases more sweetness than your typical rye, adding dessert-y crème brûlée flavors atop notes of herbs and spices.”
“This build is a bit corn-heavy for a rye, but we’re bourbon people, so we’re bringing those bourbon sensibilities to this bottle to create something uncommonly smooth and drinkable,” Nester added.
The distillers point out that a whiskey like this will make drinkers realize just how incredible Colorado-made whiskey can be. Unlike other regions, the state’s high-altitude climate impacts the aging process differently than areas closer to sea level. On top of that, Colorado is home to both agricultural diversity and a slew of creative distillers.
Where can I buy it?
Branch & Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey is currently available in limited distribution across Colorado for the suggested retail price of $34.99. Bottles of this new release are also available at the distillery Tasting Room in Centennial, Colorado.
