Branch & Barrel Distilling is branching out with the release of its first Straight Rye Whiskey.
The expression is crafted with hard winter rye grown in Colorado’s San Luis Valley, as well as water from the Arapahoe Aquifer, a Colorado groundwater source fed by Rocky Mountain snowmelt and naturally filtered through sandstone and shale over millions of years. The initial release is aged three years, and styled in a way that appeals to whiskey drinkers from all walks of life.
Unlike many ryes built to lead with spice, Branch & Barrel’s version leans on a corn-forward mash bill (51% rye, 40% corn, 9% barley), a choice that reflects the distillery’s roots in bourbon-making.
“This is a bourbon-lover’s rye,” said Mitchell Nester, Branch & Barrel’s Master Blender. “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.”
Branch & Barrel Distilling Straight Rye Whiskey is currently available in limited distribution across Colorado, with bottles available through the distillery’s Tasting Room in Centennial as well, for $34.99.
