Skip to main content

Matthew McConaughey and Wild Turkey Launch New Whiskey Called Longbranch

Introducing Wild Turkey Longbranch

When it comes to celebrity-inspired/endorsed/created beverages, we are certainly not in a dearth right now. It doesn’t matter what you’re looking for — tequila, cognac, vodka, et cetera — there is bound to be a star tied to at least one brand in any given spirit category. Whiskey is no different, as whole slew of famous people are putting their names behind brands. One of those, Wild Turkey, has been working with all-around man’s man Matthew McConaughey since 2016, when he was appointed creative director (to the tune of $4 million).

Recommended Videos

In that time, the actor has appeared in various commercials and helped bring recognition of the bourbon to the what we assume is the 18 people in the world that had never heard of Wild Turkey before. McConaughey, though, wanted to take his creative directorship a little further, which has resulted in a new Wild Turkey whiskey: Longbranch.

wild turkey longbranch matthew mcconaughey eddie porch
Image used with permission by copyright holder

According to the company, the name is inspired by the friends that form the longest branches of our family trees.

“Longbranch, in its simplest form, is an extended hand, inviting a friend into your family,” McConaughey said in a statement. “So the branch that was extended to me from the Russells was a long one, one that reached from Kentucky to Texas and back again. I offered the mesquite from my great state to add to their legendary Kentucky whiskey and together we made Longbranch.”

McConaughey is from Austin, Texas, and his parents met while at the University of Kentucky. On the Wild Turkey side, the brand is from Kentucky, but Bruce Russell — the youngest Russell son — currently lives in Austin (you can read our interview with Bruce here).

wild turkey longbranch matthew mcconaughey bottle barrel
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Longbranch is made using eight-year-old bourbon that goes through a proprietary double filtration process. On the first run, the whiskey is filtered through American White Oak charcoal; on the second, the liquid is put through Texas mesquite charcoal. The process, according to the Wild Turkey, took two years to perfect.

Golden in color, Longbranch will have a blend of vanilla and spice on the nose. Caramel, pear, and a hint of citrus make themselves known on the palate before being rounded out with a buttery, peppery finish that flourishes the subtle smoky flavor imparted by the mesquite charcoal.

Longbranch will be available nationwide starting May 2018 (and select international markets after that) and will retail for around $40.

Sam Slaughter
Sam Slaughter was the Food and Drink Editor for The Manual. Born and raised in New Jersey, he’s called the South home for…
Myths busted: Why rinsing your beer glass matters more than you think
Beer glass rinsing 101
beer

Myths run riot in the land of drinks and we're on a mission to dispel them. Just ask the chill-able red wine or age-worthy beer. There are rules in beer, cocktail, and wine culture, sure, but there are also misconceptions and unknowns very much worth figuring out.

You know the sayings: Rum is only for tiki drinks, mezcal is just a smoky version of tequila, or you can't make a good non-alcoholic beer. We know these things to be untrue as we've tasted the evidence.

Read more
What is Gibraltar coffee? The trendy espresso drink you need to try
Where and how this tiny espresso drink began
gibraltar coffee

Found only at select coffee shops is the Gibraltar coffee -- a coffee menu item that will leave you saying, "What is that?" based on its name alone. This specialty coffee originated in San Francisco at Blue Bottle Coffee but has since spread to small coffee shops worldwide. I'd describe this coffee as similar to a Cortado, yet these two drinks have unique differences.

When I first saw a Gibraltar coffee at a coffee shop, I knew I needed to learn more about what this coffee was all about. I chatted with Gibraltar coffee expert Vadym Granovskiy, an expert in coffee Artistry, expertise and mentorship, and TEDx Kyiv Speaker, to learn everything about the Gibraltar coffee -- from how it's made to how it was invented. Granovskiy is especially inspired by the story behind the accidental invention of Gibraltar coffee, drawing inspiration as a coffee lover himself. In his free time, he loves to experiment with new coffee and espresso beverages.

Read more
World Whiskey Society is launching a bourbon that’s finished in a rare, Japanese cask
World Whiskey Society's newest bourbon was dubbed "Samurai Edition"
Whiskey in a glass

Fans of exceptional, unique whiskey know all about the World Whiskey Society's prowess. Founded in 2020, this brand strives to bring rare, ultra-premium expressions to whiskey drinkers' home bars and liquor cabinets. Its newest whiskey combines America's "native spirit" with the aging techniques popularized in Japan.
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished In Japanese Mizunara Shochu Barrels

To say this whiskey is unique is an understatement. This 108-proof Kentucky straight bourbon dubbed the "Samurai Edition" begins with a mash bill of 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley. Originating at the renowned Bardstown Bourbon Company, it's first matured in charred white American oak barrels before being finished in rare Japanese Mizunara oak casks previously used to age Shochu.

Read more