Yellowstone Select Limited Edition 2017 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)

Of Limestone Branch Distillery’s various bottlings, these vintage release Yellowstones tend to receive some of the highest praise. Jim Murray rated the 2019 edition 93.5 points in his 2021 Whisky Bible. Brothers Steve Beam and Paul Beam opened Limestone Branch Distillery in 2011. Collectors should note, 2017 marks the first time they've included their own spirit in the blend, alongside the usual sourced stock. Specifically, the 2017 edition combines hand-selected, seven and twelve year old Kentucky Straight bourbons, with a special addition of Limestone Branch Distillery’s first available four year old. Once blended, the whiskey was finished in “charred wine casks” (no further details on that finishing are provided, though some say Amarone). According to the distillery, “While last year’s was more about subtle nuances, this year’s edition we focused on intense flavours and a richer final product.” The mash bill is 75% corn, 13% rye and 12% malt. It's reported that around 7000 to 8000 bottles were produced. 50.5% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... This is a whiskey that you need to take your time with, as it really manages to grow on you. Initially young and a bit closed-off, the whiskey is redolent of wood and dark spices. But give it some air and 15 minutes or so and the aroma opens up to show a sweet berry note, some notes of incense, and a slightly doughy, almond note. The palate is expressive. There’s lots of wood here, but it’s tempered with notes of dark chocolate, raisins, and orange peel. With a surprisingly long finish, Yellowstone 2017 endures with notes of clove, some eucalyptus, and even more of that dark chocolate, which is what hangs on with you the longest. It’s a far cry from a whiskey that can initially come across as muted, and one that I highly encourage you to try, as long as you are patient with it. - drinkhacker.com

...A rich mixture of sweet toffee and baking chocolate dominate the nose with hints of malted barley and oak laying underneath. The palate comes across as thin and hot, which is unexpected following the rich nose. Rye spice, oak, leather, and sweet sugary vanilla try to compete with the heat. The heat fades away and the bourbon ends on sweeter notes of toffee, vanilla, caramel, and hints of dark berries. This is a conundrum of a bourbon for me. The nose is rich and inviting, yet I was surprised by how much heat the palate delivered. It’s hard to tell how much influence the charred wine cask finishing had on the overall product, however there is no denying that the flavors throughout the sip are rich and inviting. I’m looking forward to seeing what each year’s limited release brings, especially as Limestone Branch transitions to using more of their own distillate. - breakingbourbon.com

[2018 release tasted] Lavish oak aromas display sawdust, sandalwood, baking spices, and Christmas cookies, but lurking underneath is lots of dark fruit—black cherry soda, blueberry muffin, and cassis—tinged with root beer barrels and alpine forest. A truly pretty, complex, and delicious whiskey, although the oak feels like it’s just a bit overdressed. Finished in charred wine barrels. 92 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Jeffery Lindenmuth 2018