Wild Turkey’s Longbranch bourbon, a collaboration with Matthew McConaughey, has not been discontinued. It is still in active production and distribution. However, there has been some confusion lately due to limited availability and supply chain issues.
Background on Wild Turkey Longbranch
Wild Turkey Longbranch is a Kentucky straight bourbon that was released in 2018. It was developed as a collaboration between Wild Turkey and actor Matthew McConaughey, who serves as creative director for the brand.
According to Wild Turkey, Longbranch is a refined version of their classic Kentucky Straight Bourbon. It is filtered through Texas mesquite charcoal, which gives it a slightly smoky taste profile. It is bottled at 86 proof (43% ABV).
Why Some Thought Longbranch Was Discontinued
In 2021 and 2022, there were periods of time when Longbranch became very hard to find on store shelves. This led some bourbon fans and reviewers to speculate that it had been quietly discontinued. However, this turned out not to be the case.
The real reasons behind the limited availability were:
- Supply chain disruptions – distilleries across the bourbon industry faced production and distribution challenges due to COVID-19, labor shortages, and material/supply issues.
- Increased demand – bourbon’s popularity has been surging globally, making highly-allocated brands hard to keep in stock.
- Priority given to other Wild Turkey expressions – while Longbranch was harder to find, Wild Turkey focused on meeting demand for its core expressions like Wild Turkey 101.
Wild Turkey Confirms Longbranch is Still in Production
In late 2022, Wild Turkey’s parent company Campari Group confirmed that Longbranch is still in production and part of their permanent line-up. Supply chain and logistics issues had made stock very tight in some markets, but it was always intended to be an ongoing, available product.
Campari indicated that they are working diligently to increase supply of Longbranch to meet ongoing consumer demand. While it make take time to fully restock store shelves in some areas, it is expected to become more widely available again in 2023.
Longbranch Reviews and Accolades
Despite some scarcity in recent years, Longbranch has generally been well received since its launch:
- It won a Double Gold medal at the 2018 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
- Received an impressive 96 point rating from acclaimed bourbon review site Breaking Bourbon.
- Won a Gold Outstanding medal at the 2022 Ascot Awards.
Reviews typically praise Longbranch’s refined and smooth taste, with rich bourbon flavors complemented by a hint of smokiness from the mesquite charcoal finishing process. It strikes a nice balance while still staying true to Wild Turkey’s signature bourbon profile.
Longbranch Availability and Price
When supplies are normal, Longbranch can be readily found across the United States as well as in some international bourbon markets. It has a suggested retail price of $39.99 for a 750ml bottle, though prices at liquor stores and bourbon retailers may vary.
Here is a look at recent online prices for Longbranch at popular bourbon retailers:
Retailer | Price |
---|---|
ReserveBar | $39.99 |
Caskers | $44.99 |
Bourbon Brotherhood | $59.99 |
Given its strong reviews and performance in competitions, Longbranch carries a moderate premium over Wild Turkey’s core bourbons. For comparison, Wild Turkey 101 retails for around $25 per 750ml bottle.
How to Get Bottles While Supplies Are Still Low
For bourbon drinkers eager to get their hands on bottles of Longbranch, here are some tips while supply remains constrained:
- Check with your local liquor store – many stores receive limited allocations that sell out quickly.
- Keep an eye out for online restocks – retailers like ReserveBar, Caskers and Mash & Grape may release small batches of inventory.
- Join private bourbon groups – connect with other enthusiasts who can share sightings and leads.
- Explore bourbon raffles and lotteries – some stores use these methods to fairly distribute rare bottles.
- Stay patient and persistent – with time, supplies should bounce back to normal levels.
The Bottom Line
Despite some confusion in recent years, Wild Turkey Longbranch remains an active, permanent member of the Wild Turkey bourbon lineup. Supply shortages due to unprecedented industry-wide pressures temporarily limited availability, but stock is expected to steadily return to normal levels. While staying vigilant, bourbon fans can rest assured that this refined, mesquite-finished expression isn’t going anywhere and will be back on more store shelves soon.