Brian’s Yellowstone Select Review
written on 25-September-2019
YELLOWSTONE SELECT REVIEW:
Yellowstone Select is a good bourbon. Internet searches reveal “Luxco sources bourbon from other distilleries in Kentucky. In 2015 Luxco took a 50% stake in the Limestone Branch Distillery.” I do not recall tasting a bourbon similar to this, however as it is likely several bourbons were blended for this batch, that is to be expected. For the price, there are better bourbons available.
YELLOWSTONE SELECT VITAL STATS:
– Region: Kentucky, USA
– Producer: Limestone Branch / Luxco (Sourced)
– Mash Bill: unknown
– Cask: New charred oak
– Barrel Entry Proof: unknown
– Barrel Char Level: unknown
– Age: Not Stated (Internet sources indicate Yellowstone Select is blended from sourced four and seven year old Kentucky bourbons.)
– ABV: 46.5% (93 Proof)
– Batch: 2018
– Price: $39.95 USD in Idaho
– Availability: Limited Geographical Distribution
FOR THE REVIEW:
I drank this spirit neat, from a Glencairn glass with daughter and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Hannah.
Check out her review for this bourbon here!
NOSE:
Upon first nosing, Yellowstone Select presents with a slight ethanol bite and a fair amount of alcohol. Careful and extended nosing brings out a potpourri of tree blossoms in spring along with hints of apple stands in the orchard at harvest time. There is plenty of fresh peeled tangerines, bananas and an essence of orange blossom honey as well. Its spiciness is limited to rye which couples nicely with pie crust-like pastry, a trace of vanilla, and a simple syrup made from light brown sugar. While there seems to be a lot going on, I would still say this is a simple bourbon with only a little fresh cut piney woodiness.
PALATE:
When the amber liquid first touches the tongue, its ethanol bite is both dry and warm. There are bitter (but not unpleasant) herbal notes of dusty corn, grain and hay and a prickly spiciness of black pepper and rye. Yellowstone Select’s sweetness is masked in dark figs, bittersweet baking cocoa, and dark molasses. It is an earthy bourbon with a faint bitterness of hazelnuts, barrel char and spice. As the dram disappears, faint oak lightly dances on the tongue.
Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
This bourbon has an even balance, a medium body and a creamy mouthfeel. There is also a slight tickle in the throat which can run a bit hot if care is not taken. Yellowstone Select offers long clinging legs which drop back into the Glencairn’s orangish caramel coloured bowl.
FINISH:
Yellowstone Select has a long warm and herbal finish of hay, black pepper and rye. As noted on the palate, there is a little tickle in the throat which accompanies its earthy barrel char. Any sweetness detected on the nose and palate has disappeared and only when the dram is gone do scents of oak finally waft from the Glencairn.
MY RATING: 86/100
Will I seek out this whiskey in the future? Yes
But it won’t be a must have in the bunker.
Click to read Brian’s scoring process.
Click 86/100 to access other whiskies with this score.
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