Yellowstone Limited Edition Bourbon (2025) Review

 

Limestone Branch Distillery is tucked away in Lebanon, Kentucky. Founded in 2011 by Stephen Beam, he is passionate about crafting “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.

 

If not for the Dants, Yellowstone Bourbon wouldn’t exist despite its 150 years of continuous sales. It was initially founded in 1872 near Bardstown by Joseph Bernard Dant, and he named it in honor of the United States’ first national park. It was one of the few brands allowed to continue production during Prohibition. In the 1960s, Yellowstone achieved the impressive goal of being the number-one-selling Bourbon in all of Kentucky.

 

Stephen took control of the brand in 2015 and returned it to its historic mashbill. Since 2018, he has donated a portion of his sales to the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) to support the maintenance of our national parks. And, now, he has launched the 2025 version of Yellowstone Limited Edition.

 

“We’ve done something different with this special annual release every year since 2015. This year’s 10-year anniversary Limited Edition represents my natural progression of experimenting with blending, using three unique mash bills to create a remarkable product. In partnership with the Ross & Squibb team, we pushed the boundaries of innovation by creating our first blend featuring barrels from the Indiana and Kentucky distilleries – without compromising on our commitment to quality that has kept the Yellowstone Bourbon brand on shelf for more than 150 years.” – Stephen Beam

 

The mashbills involved are:

• 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley (MGP)
• 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley (MGP)
• 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley (Limestone Branch)

The blend ratio of Limestone Branch to MGP distillate is undisclosed. There are 30,000 bottles available nationwide with a suggested minimum price of $99.99.

 

I must thank Limestone Branch for this #DrinkCurious opportunity, as they were kind enough to provide me with a sample in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review. Let’s do this!

 

• Whiskey Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Distiller: Limestone Branch and Ross & Squibb
• Age: 10 years
• Mashbill: a blend of
• 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley (MGP)
• 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley (MGP)
• 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley (Limestone Branch)
• Cooperage: New, charred 53-gallon oak barrels
• Alcohol Content: 52.5% ABV (105°)
• Price per 750mL: $99.99

 

Appearance: I poured this Bourbon into my Glencairn glass to sip neat. It was the color of rust; A heavy rim formed, which shed widely-spaced, thick, fast tears.

 

Nose: After allowing 15 minutes for the Bourbon to acclimate, I brought the glass beneath my nostrils and started sniffing. I smelled vanilla frosting, mild chocolate, cherries, orange peel, and oak. Drawing the air through my lips revealed a note of dried apricots.

 

Palate: With the initial sip, my lips and tongue were greeted by a warm, creamy mouthfeel. Clove was the palate shock. With the second, I encountered intense vanilla, orange zest, and cherries on the front, while the mid-palate featured oak and honey-roasted almonds. I tasted cinnamon, rye spice, and clove on the back.

 

Finish: Clove, cinnamon, honey-roasted almonds, oak, and vanilla frosting lingered for about 2:12, making for a longer, more satisfying finish.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: All of the Yellowstone Limited Edition Bourbons are one-offs, meaning once they’re released, that’s the end of it, and there will never be another. The Ross & Squibb component whiskeys were easily identifiable, with classic aspects to appreciate. Yet, the typical nuttiness of Limestone Branch’s distillate refused to take a back seat. I like the idea that Stephen teamed up with Ian Stirsman (Ross & Squibb’s Master Distiller) to produce it.

 

If you judge this Bourbon with the first sip, you’re going to find something both warm and spicy. That’s the palate shock I mentioned earlier. Once you’ve swallowed, your mouth then expects that, and allows you to delve into what’s beyond the initial impression.

 

Overall, the 2025 Yellowstone Limited Edition Bourbon is well-balanced and drinks at about its stated proof, perhaps a couple of points above that. Yet, the more I indulged, the lower that number became.

 

I shouldn’t have to say this, but if blends turn you off, that’s a psychological issue that you should overcome. Understand that whether it is Bourbon, American Whiskey, or something imported, you’re not doing yourself any favors. Blending is an art form. Talented blenders produce excellent whiskeys, and I consider this year’s Yellowstone Limited Edition to be one of those. It has earned my Bottle rating, and I believe it is worth picking up. 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.