Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon - 101 (2017)
Nose: This has nice notes of caramel, vanilla, and cherry. Palate: The first sip had a very rich sense about it, with a bit of heat starting in the mid-palate and continuing into the finish. The heat is a very pleasant warming and drifts off during the finish, without ever getting too intense. This has deep earthy/woody flavors mixed with some rye spiciness. There’s a hint of sweetness in the background. There’s a very nice blend of complexity and balance in this one. This begs to be sipped slowly, savored and enjoyed over a longer period of time. Later sips brought out some dark chocolate notes. There’s a very slight, rye-like aftertaste. This is a good choice if you like a rich and chewy bourbon. Comments: This clocks in at 101 proof and is a limited release from 2017. The bottle’s label indicates that this is “finished in charred wine casks”. This is put out by the Limestone Branch Distillery in Lebanon, KY. The bottle’s back label states that this is a combination of sourced bourbon and Limestone’s own distillate (the first time they have used their own). Internet sources indicate that the sourced bourbon is a mix of a 7 year old and a 12 year old and that the Limestone juice is 4 years old. Likewise, the Internet states that the mashbills are 75% corn, 13% rye, 12 % malted barley (7 yr. old), 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley (12 yr. old), 75% local heirloom white corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley (4 yr. old). The label also states that the blend is “consummated in once-filled, double seasoned barrels which were toasted and then lightly charred”. This bottle was bit on the pricey side at just over $100. It is a very tasty sipper but I’d really like to see it at lower price point in order to recommend it as a purchase. I think something in the $80 range would have been more appropriate. The 2020 version of this has a new bottle and label and is a 7 year old finished in French Armagnac casks. Luckily, it doesn’t appear that the price has gone up, with an MSRP of $100.
