Whisky: Yellowstone Select Bourbon
Region: Kentucky
ABV: 46.5%
Price: £45
Ok, so next up we’re tasting Yellowstone Select Bourbon. This is core range release from Limestone Branch Distillery and is a mix of four and seven year old bourbon barrels. We’ve heard the mashbill for this release is 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley, but haven’t had this confirmed. For full disclosure the sample for this review was provided by Limestone Branch Distillery and The Whisky Wire. This of course will have no impact on our review.
Nose
We’re getting heaps of bourbon sweetness and fruit on the nose. We’re getting strawberry purée, cherry liquor chocolates, lightly toasted oak and of course vanilla. It’s a simple nose, but it’s also very pleasant.
Palate
Oh, it’s definitely spicier on the palate than expected given how light the nose is. We’re getting some brown sugar, a touch of cardamon, cloves and cinnamon. We’re also finding it’s got a smokiness to it but it’s well tempered by a toffee sweetness. It’s got a good length finish, is pretty smooth and is an easy drinker. Like the nose pleasant, but unexciting.
Nose (with water)
With a splash of water we’re reminded of pine cones scented with cloves and cardamom. We’re also finding some of the sweeter notes have receded into the background and it’s become spicier like the unreduced palate. Personally, we prefer the nose without water.
Palate (with water)
While water brings out more spice in the nose we’re finding the palate is now sweeter and we’re getting more honey sweetness also with some almonds. This still has a decent length finish with a little spice lingering on the tongue.
Conclusion
For us this is tricky, we prefer the pre diluted nose, but think the palate benefits from a touch of water. Either way it’s still a good dram which could be drunk neat or used in a cocktail, but at £45 it’s a touch expensive for what it is.
Score: 7.5/10
- 10 - Perfection. A whisky that we’ll remember forever.
- 9 - Amazing. We’d pay through the nose for a bottle.
- 8 - Great. Pick this up at RRP.
- 7 - Good. Happy to have a dram or two but wouldn’t buy a bottle.
- 6 - Passable. Would accept a dram, but wouldn’t seek it out.
- 5 - Poor. Would drink if it was the only option.
- 4 - Bad. Maybe it can be saved by ginger beer?
- 3 - Awful. It can't be saved by ginger beer.
- 2 - Pour it out
- 1 - We’ve never tried a whisky rated this low and hopefully never will.
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