Yellowstone 2023 Limited Edition Bourbon Review & Tasting Notes

 

Limestone Branch Distillery is tucked away in Lebanon, Kentucky. Founded in 2011 by Stephen Beam, his goal was to craft “the finest spirits” in small batches. If Stephen’s last name is familiar, that’s because he’s one of those Beams. He’s a seventh-generation distiller, and his family tree branches to both the Beam and Dant families.

 

In 2015, Limestone Branch released its first Yellowstone Limited Edition Bourbon. It was a blend of 7-year wheat, 7-year rye, and 12-year rye mashes. Subsequent years changed the Bourbon components, added in Limestone Branch’s own distillate, utilized wine casks, double-seasoned casks, Armagnac casks, Amarone casks, and Marsala superiore casks. I’ve reviewed each of these since the 2017 release and have, for the most part, been impressed.  

 

For 2023, the Limited Edition is a blend of 7-, 13-, and 16-year Bourbons finished in Tokaji casks. Wait… what’s Tokaji?

 

I’m glad you asked! The most important thing to know is it is from Hungary, and that explains why unless you're fluent in Hungarian, you'd have difficulty saying the name. Tokaji has to come from the Tokaji region of Hungary. Neighboring Slovakia may also legally use the term only if they follow the established Hungarian methods. Six varietals of grapes are used in the production of Tokaji: Furmint, Hárslevelű, Yellow Muscat, Zéta, Kövérszőlő, and Kabar. While there are several types of Tokaji wines, the most famous and revered is Aszú. Aszú is made from grapes subjected to noble rot. Yup, you read that right. Rot. It is a fungus that grows on the grape. It creates a sweet, luxurious wine.

 

Back in 2021, I suggested that distillers should make use of Tokaji casks. Since then, I’ve seen a handful of Tokaji-finished whiskeys. I’m not saying I was the catalyst for change; I’m just thrilled to see it happen.

 

“With each year’s Yellowstone Limited Edition offering, I seek a finish that I both personally love and believe will make for a wonderful, well-balanced Bourbon. This year, I found the perfect finish in the Tokaji casks sourced from northern Hungary. […] Fans of Yellowstone Limited Edition offerings will have a new contender for their favorite!” – Stephen Beam, Master Distiller

 

 

There are currently 10,000 3-in-1 cases offered across the country beginning this month. A 750ml package is bottled at 50.5% ABV (101°); you can expect to pay about $99.99 when you find it.

 

Before I get to #DrinkCurious, I must thank Limestone Branch for providing me with a sample in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review. Let’s do this!

 

Appearance: I sipped this Bourbon neat from my Glencairn glass. Inside, it was the color of cinnamon. A thin rim created thick, wavy tears.

 

Nose: I could start to smell this whiskey before I brought the glass to my face. The aroma consisted of almonds, honey, and nutmeg. As I delved deeper, I found cherries and butterscotch. Next, I inhaled through my lips and encountered salted caramel.  

 

Palate: The mouthfeel was full-bodied, with flavors of cherries, nutmeg, and caramel on the front of my palate. I tasted vanilla, honey, and orange peel as it moved to the middle, while the back comprised French oak, cinnamon, and tobacco.  

 

Finish: The long, drawn-out finish left French oak, tobacco, cherries, orange peel, and white pepper. It warmed my mouth and throat.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: As I stated earlier, I’ve had the opportunity to review several of the Yellowstone Limited Edition Bourbons. Maybe I biased myself with the excitement of a Tokaji influence. Regardless, it was damned good, and in my opinion, the 2023 release is the best of what I’ve tasted to date. Is it worth a penny shy of a C-note? Absolutely, and that means this earns my Bottle rating. Cheers!

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you to do so responsibly.