Branch and Barrel Distillery
What a unique and fun distillery tasting room. The Folks at Branch and Barrel know how to make a phenomenal spirit, and know how to have a fantastic time. Always making terrific cocktails at the bar, including a roll your own cocktail DnD style, you are sure to find something you are going to never forget – whether or not you fully enjoy it is up to the whim of the dice.
Branch and Barrel partnered up with the Colorado Spartans, an Arena Football team here in the Centennial State, and created a whiskey to commemorate the partnership. As they put it on their page, “…the Spartans are a unique football team, (so) we had to create a unique bourbon accordingly!”
A Blend of Branch and Barrel’s Rye and Flagship bourbon, this special and unique release is only available in the Tasting room at Branch and Barrel in Centennial.
In the Bottle:
Mashbill:
A Blend of Branch and Barrel’s Flagship Bourbon Whiskey and Rye Whiskey
Age:
3 Years
Proof:
88 Proof (44% ABV)
In the Glass:
Appearance:
Nice and oily legs on the glass really stood out to me right away. It is bronze and remarkably clear considering the oily legs.
Without Water:
Nose:
A sweet nose, full of dried candied fruits like cherries. There are distinct notes of Brown Sugar, Vanilla, and Victory.
Palate:
Soft and sweet right up front, then plenty of dried, baked fruits and spices on the mid palate come in right away. The mouthfeel is full bodied and thick, with an almost creamy quality to it.
Finish:
Very long, it lingers for quite a while with notes of tobacco and baking spices and pepper – a sharp change from the mostly sweet palate. The barrels give a lightly tannic quality to the finish as well.
With Water:
Nose:
More of the sweeter vanilla come through, and the brown sugar continues to shine on the nose. A few drops of the water really reinforce the Victory notes.
Palate:
It’s actually a bit stronger right up front, heartier even, like the water rehydrated the lineman and now this whiskey is winning in the trenches. The barrel influence comes through a lot more with a few drops of water as well (maybe even a few of the branches) and somehow it feels even thicker and creamier.
Finish:
Tannins and tobaccos immediately jump to the front of mind, but there are a good amount of baking spices and hints of cracked pepper that come through with some water as well. It is still a wicked long finish, not losing any of the ability to hang around even with a few drops of water.
Final Thoughts:
A release fit for a Spartan, this is one Superfly BouRye. Branch and Barrel have taken the art of partnerships to the next level, making whiskey that matches perfectly with whoever they are working with. The Spartans blend really showcases that, as it is a slightly lower proof that makes it approachable by just about everyone, but still showcases everything you would want to see out of a blend of a top notch rye and bourbon.
As this is a distillery only release, the best advice that we can give is to swing by Branch and Barrel in Centennial to pick up a bottle. While you are there, pick up the dice and roll an old fashioned. You just might create the world’s next favorite cocktail.
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