Apex Brands Co. said on the 21st that its flagship product "Let It Burn" won "Best of 2026" in the whiskey category at the 2026 Korea Wine & Spirits Awards.
Let It Burn is made by Town Branch Distillery in Lexington, Kentucky. Town Branch Distillery, founded in 2012, builds on the tradition of Lexington Brewing Co., which opened in the 1890s. Based on small-batch production, it blends traditional Kentucky whiskey-making methods with a modern touch. It has since won at numerous international beverage competitions, earning recognition for its quality and reputation.
In Korea, it has been expanding recognition around Single Barrel Reserve Bourbon and Single Barrel Reserve Rye Private Cask. Let It Burn is a high-proof bourbon at 60.1% ABV, evaluated as a product that combines bold character with refined balance. It was released to commemorate the inscription of the Ulsan Bangudae Petroglyphs as a World Heritage site and drew attention as a private cask combining symbolism and quality.
Apex Brands has visited distilleries across the United States to discover differentiated American whiskey, and in the process introduced Town Branch to Korea. In particular, it draws interest from domestic whiskey enthusiasts by giving each cask its own concept and name. The Single Barrel Reserve Bourbon "Signed, Sealed & Delivered," launched in collaboration with Whiskey Park in Dec. last year, sold out six minutes after sales began.
In May, it plans to release a limited "Red Horse Edition" to mark the byeong-o year. The project strengthens Town Branch's affection for Korea and its storytelling. It plans to unveil, all at once, private casks with distinctive flavors and names such as "Elegant Ruler," "Manchu," and "When peach meets cherry, Seongsu."
An Apex Brands official said, "Town Branch is a brand that not only is rare but also has a distinctive flavor profile that sets it apart from traditional American whiskey," adding, "We plan to continue broadening Korea's whiskey culture through a variety of private casks."