Whenever we find ourselves in northern Wyoming, our trip is never complete without a detour into Yellowstone National Park. I’ve had the luxury of visiting several times over the past decade and Yellowstone has emerged as my favorite national park. For our trip this year, we thought it would be appropriate to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Yellowstone National Park with a bottle of Yellowstone Select Bourbon.
The History of Yellowstone Bourbon
The Yellowstone Bourbon brand has a long history. It was named in honor of the first National Park in the U.S., survived prohibition due to its labeling as medicine, and became the best-selling whiskey in Kentucky during the 1960s. However, it has only been in the past decade or so that Yellowstone Select Bourbon has experienced a resurgence.
The son of J.W. Dant, J.B. Dant was the first to bottle his whiskey under the Yellowstone label to honor the founding of Yellowstone National Park in 1872. As the whiskey gained popularity, Dant partnered with others to open the Yellowstone Distillery near Lebanon, Kentucky. During its heyday, Yellowstone became the most popular bourbon in Kentucky, contributing to its recognition as a good choice for drinkers.
Like many other brands, Yellowstone struggled due to the changing preferences of drinkers during the 1970s and 1980s. The Yellowstone brand was sold multiple times, before eventually coming under the ownership of Luxco.
In 2010, Stephen and Paul Beam started their own distillery called Limestone Branch Distillery, near where the old Yellowstone Distillery once existed. They hoped to create their own unique craft whiskeys and carry on the tradition of distilling established by their Grandpa, Minor Case Beam, a distilling cousin of James Beam and former owner of Yellowstone Bourbon.
Stephen and Paul quickly worked to regain access to the Yellowstone brand name in hopes they could restore it to its former glory. The Beams partnered with Luxco and started producing Yellowstone Select in 2015.
About Yellowstone Select Bourbon
Yellowstone Select Bourbon is a No Age Statement (NAS) straight bourbon blend. On the Limestone Branch Website, it states Yellowstone Select Bourbon is a blend of handpicked barrels that have been aged between 4 and 7 years.
According to the bottle, it is distilled and aged in Kentucky and bottled by Limestone Branch. The source is undisclosed, but many have speculated that Yellowstone Select is sourced from Jim Beam. However, others believe the whiskey is sourced from Luxco, given the relationship between the two companies. If you have any insight, drop us a line.
Several sources identify the mash bill of Yellowstone Select as 75% corn, 13% rye, and 13% malted barley. The proportion of grains is the same as Jim Beam and Old Tub, other Beam products. Stephen and Paul gave a nod to this recipe since it is the same mash bill used by their grandfather Minor Case Beam. You could call it a Beam family tradition.
According to Limestone Branch, you’ll find hints of rye and leathered cherries on the nose of Yellowstone Select. You’ll find hints of caramel, brown sugar, and oak on the palate. Yellowstone Select Bourbon is bottled at 93 proof.
Tasting Notes
On the nose, I picked up a light and fruity scent. I noticed hints of cherry, but wondered if the cherry I noticed was from pitting cherries all morning to prepare our annual batch of Cherry Bounce. Alie also noted that the aroma was light and fruity, but she picked up more of a citrus aroma on the nose. She noticed the faint hint of orange.
I noticed a bit of oak and a slight sweetness that reminded me of a cherry tart. The intensity is mild to medium. Yellowstone Select Bourbon finishes very smooth with light-bodied intensity. It is a very good beginner bourbon to try neat without being overpowering.
Alie felt that Yellowstone Bourbon split the characteristics of a rye and a bourbon. It had a little spice but wasn’t too grassy or earthy. It was sweet, but not overly sweet. She noted it finished smooth and was very easy to drink.
Our Ratings
Drinkability: 4.1
Intensity: 2.5
Personal Preference: 3.5
Beginner Friendly: 4
Availability: 5
Overall: 3.7/5
Final Thoughts
Yellowstone Select was a big hit at Alie’s sister’s wedding back in April. We purchased a bottle from a nearby store and the first bottle was empty by the end of the first night. When a family of Scotch drinkers keeps returning to the bourbon, it is a pretty good sign that you picked a good bottle of whiskey.
Yellowstone Select Bourbon is an easy-drinking whiskey that is very enjoyable when the weather heats up. It is also an excellent choice for the new whiskey enthusiast due to its mild finish. This bottle runs about $35, so it isn’t the cheapest option. However, the 93 proof gives Yellowstone Select Bourbon a little more bang for the buck. We think this is a good “nice” bottle to add to your collection as you get started with the hobby.
Happy Exploring!
Rick
Family scotch drinker concurs!
Dad