Yellowstone Toasted is part of the Special Finishes Collection. According to a press release it’s made from the same blend of Yellowstone Bourbon before a flavorful blend of High Toast, American Oak, Double Toast, Rickhouse, High Vanilla and Spice Rack staves were mixed with the Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey for added complexity.
Master Distiller Stephen Beam of the Historic Beam family who revived the Yellowstone brand in 2015 stated in a press release. “I began experimenting with toasted barrels in 2016, 2017, and 2018 with Yellowstone Limited Edition releases and again more recently with distillery-exclusive Yellowstone Toasted Single Barrel. My experience helped in crafting what stave flavors to use and at what percentage to get the right flavor profile for Yellowstone Toasted.”
According to the bottle, “After more than 150 years of bourbon heritage, it’s still important to keep things fresh. To to so, we’ve embarked on a new expedition – the Special Finishes Collection. Beginning with our Yellowstone Bourbon mash bill that’s been perfected over generation, we experiment with various finishes. Each bringing a unique perspective to to our more traditional bourbon profile. And much like our national parks, no two are alike. I hope you enjoy this latest venture, there’s always another right around the corner.
In addition to the Toasted version, Yellowstone also has a version made with rum staves from Havana.
Bourbon Review: Yellowstone Toasted (Special Finishes Collection)
ABV: 50% (100 Proof)
Age: 4 years
Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
Distillery: Limestone Branch Distillery
Location: Lebanon, KY
The Nose: Pouring the glass a aroma of candy corn was evident which carried over to the first pull from the glass. That first sniff revealed a subtle caramel and vanilla blending together with an abundance of corn After letting the glass sit for 10 mins, there is also a subtle mint component lingering in the background with oak and melted butter on the skiller.
The Taste: The first sip reveals notes of green apples, toasted oak and peppercorns envelop the palate on first sip. Subsequent sips reveal notes of pecans, a subtle vanilla and a touch of cinnamon. The finish is relatively short with a subtle mineral component.
Conclusion: I had high hopes for this release considering the price point for this toasted barrel release. However price isn’t everything and it doesn’t factor into our scoring. In short, the Yellowstone Special Finishes Collection Toasted doesn’t stand up against other toasted barrel releases. It’s not a bad bourbon, it’s just not overly memorable and that therein is the problem. I was all set after one pour before moving on to a different bottle.
Score: 84
Price: $42.99 (750ml in New Hampshire)
