If
it is almost September, it is time for many limited-edition American whiskeys
to hit the market just in time for Bourbon Heritage Month. Well, the year has
been flying by at warp speed, and somehow it is almost September.
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, and 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.
The
2024 edition will hit the market in a few weeks, and it is the first time
Limestone Branch has produced a Bourbon with a double-brandy finish. One utilizes
non-specific French brandy casks; the second is Cognac. The Bourbon itself is a
blend of 7-year and 17-year whiskeys.
“The 2024 expression of Yellowstone Limited Edition represents my natural progression of experimenting with special finishes over the years. Now, finished Bourbon have become sought after by fans who want to push the flavor profile. I love experimenting and exploring new opportunities, and using a double finish with brandy and Cognac casks created a more complex and nuanced Bourbon, opening a whole new experience for consumers to enjoy.” – Stephen Beam
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
poured this whiskey into my Glencairn glass to sip neat. Inside, the liquid had
a bright, orange-amber color. It produced a thick rim with a heavy curtain of
tears.
Nose: This Bourbon
was fragrant from the second I poured it into my glass. I smelled leather, orange
peel, baked apples and pears, brown sugar, caramel, and red berries. Drawing that
aroma through my lips, I found more baked apples. It was dessert-like.
Palate: The
mouthfeel was dense yet silky. It rolled across my tongue. The front of my
palate encountered apricots, lime zest, and vanilla. It was a different, but
not unhappy combination. The middle offered caramel-coated apples and Bit O’Honey
candy. I tasted dry oak, cinnamon, and nutmeg on the back of my palate.
Finish: The finish
left me wanting. It clocked in at only 55 seconds. I took several sips to see
if I could extend it past a minute and failed repeatedly. What remained
included apples, pears, apricots, nutmeg, and Bit O’Honey candy.
Bottle, Bar, or Bust: My only
complaint about the 2024 Yellowstone Limited Edition is its finish. It was way
too short. I was enjoying the flavors left in my mouth and throat and it would
fall off too quickly. Aside from that, this was a softer pour than expected
from a 101° Bourbon, yet it also had some typical brandy warmth to it. It is a
complex, layered Bourbon that provides plenty of bang for the buck, and I believe
it 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.
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