Town Branch Bourbonola

Town Branch Bourbonola is a ready-to-drink bottled bourbon and cola-style mixed drink. It is sold as a finished product, so there is nothing to measure, mix or stir. The listing gives no ABV, age, mash bill or distillery details, so what follows describes how drinks in this style usually behave rather than a measured profile for this bottle. The name points to the familiar bourbon-and-cola pairing. Expect the vanilla, caramel and light toasted-oak notes typical of bourbon, set against cola sweetness, some citrus and spice, and carbonation. Drinks like this tend to lean sweet and soft rather than dry or spirit-forward. A bourbon-and-cola profile has no smoke or heavy char to speak of, and the cola spice usually keeps the grain character in the background. Serve it well chilled, either straight from the refrigerator or poured over a full glass of fresh ice. Ice dilutes a drink that is already sweet, so use plenty of it, and pour gently to keep the carbonation. A highball or Collins glass suits it, as does a sturdy tumbler. A Glencairn glass is not worth using here, since there is little spirit aroma to concentrate. A wedge of lemon or orange, or a cherry, adds a bright note that cuts the sweetness. Because it is pre-mixed, it doesn't replace a bourbon for cocktails. An Old Fashioned, Manhattan or Whiskey Sour needs a bottled bourbon or rye you can control. This is for pouring and drinking as it is. Its sweetness and cola spice go well with barbecue, smoked meats, burgers, fried chicken and salty snacks.