The Basics:

Character: Sweet and spicy.

Score: 82/100

The details:

Mainly a single malt drinker, I do wander into other domains from time to time. During hot summer months, something about bourbon seems to match the weather better than Scotch, so I’m more likely to broaden my horizons in the American direction as the weather heats up. Last summer, browsing my local liquor store for a good July 4th pick, I came across this.

I spent most of my summers in my teenage years in Yellowstone, so a bourbon named for my beloved national park caught my eye, although I never spent a great deal of time in the Lamar Valley or the northeast corner of the park.

Despite the name, the whiskey doesn’t hail from Yellowstone, Wyoming, or even the mountain west–it’s the product of the Limestone Branch distillery in Lebanon, Kentucky. Limestone Branch is a relatively recent concern–it began operations in 2011–however, it is closely connected to bourbon royalty. Two latter-day scions of the famous Beam family are the founders and owners. 

The whiskey itself–which I take to be a limited expression–is quite tasty, being sweet, spicy, and vaguely citric, albeit not one to knock your socks off. Solid stuff, and don’t turn it down if someone offers, even if you probably shouldn’t rush to buy a bottle, either.

Yellowstone Select – Landmark Edition (Lamar Valley) 46.5%

Tasting notes:

Nose: Spicy and woody, with a slight citric sourness. Then lots of sweet corn and also freshly baked cornbread. Altogether, sweet starch and light spice dominate.

Body: Medium.

Palate: Lots of vanilla and carmelized brown sugar; corn still, but far more muted. Clove and a bit of woody bitterness.

Finish: Shortish–vanilla and wood.

Score: 82/100

Who should buy it?: National park enthusiasts? People who like bourbon.

Overall thoughts: A solid, enjoyable (but not incredible) bourbon.

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