LEXINGTON, Ky, March 26, 2026— Town Branch Distillery, the 7th member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and the heart of Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.—was awarded top honors at the prestigious 2026 Korea Wine & Spirits Awards in Seoul, South Korea on March 24, 2026.
Town Branch Single Barrel Reserve Bourbon – Kaja Ulsan No. 1 Private Cask (120.1 proof)
Town Branch Distillery has expanded its single barrel program in recent years, growing into new markets while increasing availability, age ranges, and even styles of whiskey, including limited releases of Single Malt and Rye Whiskey. Town Branch Single Barrel Reserve Bourbon, however, remains the flagship offering—positioned as one of the best values on the market for its balance of price, quality, and availability.
Barrels have been selected by partners across the United States and internationally, most notably South Korea. The Kaju Ulsan No. 1 Private Cask, bottled at 120.1 proof and yielding just 198 bottles, earned top honors at the Korea Wine & Spirits Awards 2026. Competing against 260 companies and 1,118 brands, only 13 whiskeys received a Grand Prize, with Town Branch ultimately earning the top whiskey distinction after the blind tasting finale and being named one of just 24 “Best of 2026” winners across all categories. Recently, Town Branch and its partners have also begun giving select barrels distinctive personalities as they fully matured, were tasted and assigned a production role based on their characteristics —with nicknames sometimes making their way onto the labels themselves. Recent expressions include “Let It Burn”, “Signed, Sealed & Delivered”, “Silk & Spice”, and “Island in the Rye”.
Expanding Globally, Building Momentum in South Korea
Town Branch has steadily expanded its international footprint in recent years and is no newcomer to global spirits distribution. Town Branch was also an early participant in developing the growing whiskey market in South Korea, partnering with importer Apex Brands Corp., a company known for successfully introducing new premium spirits to the Korean market. Apex has also established its own retail and hospitality venues, Cask, Cuvee & Whiskey Bars, allowing for both direct consumer engagement and wholesale distribution. “In 2022 we began the exclusive import of Town Branch to South Korea after identifying a gap in Kentucky bourbon selection,” says Apex Brands founder Mike Chae. “Town Branch Single Barrel Reserve Bourbon is our best seller, and we have built a tremendous customer base for it—it’s exceptional to see it recognized with such high honors in our market.”
Town Branch Distillery is part of Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co., which also operates Pearse Lyons Distillery in Dublin, Ireland, one of the early modern Irish distilleries that began distilling in 2012 during the early resurgence of Irish whiskey distillation. Because Irish whiskey is largely an export-driven category, the company developed global logistics and market relationships early. The Lyons family’s broader enterprise, Alltech, an international agribusiness operating in more than 140 countries, further provides strategic global reach. This combination uniquely positions Town Branch to operate as a small-batch producer while engaging competitively in international markets when opportunities arise.
To support broader international access, Town Branch also maintains whiskey stocks at Pearse Lyons Distillery in Dublin, creating an efficient gateway into European markets while maintaining direct distribution relationships in strategic countries such as Japan, Canada, Germany and South Korea to name a few. Alongside these traditional distribution channels, the brand continues exploring innovative ways to build global awareness to celebrate the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, from hosting virtual tasting events like a recent dinner with the Cali Whiskey Club in Cali, Colombia, to participating in international trade events such as the IAADFS Summit of the Americas in Orlando, which focuses on duty-free, Caribbean export, and cruise-line retail, markets where limited and exclusive offerings like single barrel selections resonate strongly with travelers.
Brand Highlights:
Town Branch®️ Single Barrel Reserve Bourbon – Cask Strength (SRP $49.99+/750ml)
- Town Branch Single Barrel Reserve Bourbon is our snowflake of bourbons with each barrel bottled unique to itself and limited in supply. Always bottled at cask strength, no compromises, it delivers a robust, full-flavored profile of whiskey straight-from-the-barrel.
- Classification & Format: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey / Single Barrel
- Mash Bill: 72% Corn | 15% Rye | 13% Malted Barley
- Cooperage: New American White Oak, #4 Char Level
- Age: 7+ years average for single barrel selections
- ABV: Cask Strength
- Tasting Notes:
- Appearance: Medium honeyed amber
- Aroma: Caramel and sweet corn leading to dried fruits, walnuts, and baked apples
- Palate: Sweet corn and toasted cinnamon finishing with apricot, cherry, vanilla and hints of leather
- Finish: Slight sweetness and pleasant heat with a medium finish of oak and baking spices
About Town Branch Distillery:
Located in Lexington, Kentucky, Town Branch Distillery is notable as the first new distillery to open in the city since Prohibition. It is part of Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co., the only brewery and distillery on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®️. The distillery produces several acclaimed spirits, including Town Branch Bourbon, Town Branch True Cask Bourbon, Town Branch Overproof Whiskey, Town Branch Rye, Town Branch Malt, and Bluegrass Sundown, a Bourbon-infused coffee liqueur. Town Branch upcycles every used barrel to craft a variety of whiskeys and barrel-aged beers, such as Lexington’s flagship Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale. This process ensures each barrel’s legacy continues within our diverse product line. For more details, visit www.lexingtonbrewingco.com, or join the conversation Facebook or Instagram.
About the Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.:
Located in Lexington, Kentucky, Lexington Brewing Co. was originally established in 1890 and revitalized in 1999 by the late Pearse Lyons and his son Mark Lyons, evolving into Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. with the addition of Town Branch Distillery. Pearse Lyons was a pioneering Irish entrepreneur and scientist with a master’s degree in brewing and a Ph.D. in yeast fermentation. He also founded Alltech, a global leader in animal health and nutrition. Today, both Alltech and Lexington Brewing & Distilling are led by his son, Mark Lyons, who represents the seventh generation of the Lyons family in the brewing, distilling, and cooperage industry. Lexington Brewing & Distilling is renowned for its Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale® and Town Branch Distillery, which is a proud member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®. Committed to sustainability, every emptied barrel is upcycled from the distillery to the brewery to create exceptional beer and spirits. For more information, visit www.lexingtonbrewingco.com, or join the conversation Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.
About Kentucky®️ Barrel-Aged Beers:
Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co., the only brewery and distillery on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®️, specializes in the art of barrel-aging beer. As one of the largest barrel-aged beer brands globally, Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. leverages its access to freshly decanted Kentucky Bourbon barrels to craft a unique style of beer. Offerings include the renowned Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale®, Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Imperial Milk Stout, Kentucky Vanilla Barrel Cream Ale, Kentucky Pumpkin Barrel Ale, and a selection of Kentucky® Barrel-Aged Seasonal and Specialty releases. Upcycling its own bourbon barrels enhances the quality of its barrel-aged beers with a distinct character that sets them apart from other breweries in America. For more information, visit www.lexingtonbrewingco.com, or join the conversation Facebook or Instagram.
About Alltech:
Founded in 1980 by Irish entrepreneur and scientist Dr. Pearse Lyons and now led by his son Dr. Mark Lyons, Alltech is a global leader in agriculture, committed to providing smarter and more sustainable solutions. With over 40 years of scientific research backing its work, Alltech offers a diverse range of products and services designed to enhance the health and performance of plants and animals. This, in turn, leads to improved nutrition, reduced environmental impact, and advanced innovation in the field. Alltech’s portfolio includes specialty ingredients, premix supplements, feed, and biologicals, all underpinned by a strong scientific foundation and a commitment to adaptability. As a private, family-owned company, Alltech emphasizes quick responses to customer needs and fosters a unique, entrepreneurial culture. Headquartered near Lexington, Kentucky, Alltech operates in over 120 countries with five bioscience centers and more than 80 manufacturing facilities worldwide. Their mission, encapsulated in their purpose of “Working Together for a Planet of Plenty™,” focuses on providing nutrition for all, revitalizing local economies, and replenishing the planet’s natural resources. For more information, visit www.alltech.com
