Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished in Rum Casks

I was absolutely thrilled to see another Limestone Branch product hit the shelves and be readily available. Following the very first finished variety (toasted oak), this is typically the next most common finishing choice for many American whiskey producers, and I'm surprised it wasn't introduced sooner. Regardless, the final product here is distinct enough from most other distilleries; the base whiskey is quite young, but not so young that the rum's sweetness overpowers the raw grain flavor. However, the finishing period of just a couple months is remarkably brief, so I question how much rum flavor we'll actually perceive. As always, I admire the label's color scheme (the deep slate blue for the "rum" banner is stunning), and I'm eager to display it alongside my other Yellowstones, even though this is the only Yellowstone bottle I own that isn't signed by the master distiller (I was too excited at the store to wait). The 100 proof seems well-balanced, making it approachable yet high enough to release some of the finishing barrel's notes. In any case, I hope this is just the beginning of many different finishes we'll continue to see from this distillery. The color is a mix somewhere between deep copper, dark butterscotch, and a general burnished shade. It's a bit darker than expected for a 4-year-old bourbon, which sparks a desire for rum. Candied nuts, molasses, and a hint of lemon zest are the initial scents on the nose. The ethanol is indeed approachable and surprisingly understated at this proof. There's also some noticeable young grain, specifically sweet corn, but repeated smelling really emphasizes the aforementioned notes, keeping things straightforward, while the mind remains focused on that rum finish. The body has a light texture but is spicy and carries through the entire tasting. Initial flavors of molasses and caramel are easily discernible but lighter and more faint than I'd prefer. The base whiskey doesn't contribute much here, but there are notes of basic grain mash and citrus zest, along with a decent rye burn on the gums. The finish shifts to the aforementioned rye, as the burn intensifies, but doesn't quite dry out the mouth. This particular finished variation is both spot-on in delivering the barrel-finished flavors and quite uninspired and basic. For a fleeting moment, the rum truly stands out, but you can tell the finishing time was far too short, as the base bourbon notes dominate, leaving you yearning for the rum aromas detected on the nose. This is an example of missed potential, which is surprising from this distillery, considering one of their finished variations spent multiple YEARS in a finishing barrel. Nevertheless, it's still quite enjoyable and can stand on its own, but I wouldn't choose it for cocktails or try to convince anyone that the rum flavor would transfer.

Aroma - like a bakery's sweet offerings, reminiscent of a powdered donut. A subtle trace of dusty corn in the background. Taste - the texture is a little thin. Flavors of candy corn, powdered sugar, and a subtle hint of musty tobacco. It's sweet and engaging. It concludes with an almost cornflake cereal note. Finish - short to medium duration, leaving a taste of raisin bran. Overall - this is a hidden gem! It's incredibly easy to drink. At 100 proof, it's just right. It's on the sweeter side, but it perfectly balances the rum. The only potential downside is that the whiskey tastes noticeably younger... which isn't necessarily a bad thing. This brand is doing it well here.

For me, especially at $45.00 a bottle (I purchased it on sale for $38.00), it's disappointing. There are many other bourbons with more flavor and complexity available at this price point. Initially, it does present as sweet brown sugar and vanilla (likely from the Rum Cask influence). However, it's thin and doesn't maintain its character. Ultimately, it becomes a muddled, thin, spicy drink. For that price, it's not worth it to me. I'd rather have WT 101!

The nose has notes of caramel, rum, vanilla, cherry, grape soda, oak, and charcoal. The palate is a bit hot, with char, caramel, grape, cherry, oak, and cake icing. It finishes long and spicy. Adding water not only reduces the heat but also brings out more of the fruit.

This isn't my favorite; it carries a very "dark" flavor profile for a four-year-old bourbon. I certainly detect molasses notes from the finish. It won't be my go-to daily drink, but it's definitely worth acquiring if you can find it at the suggested retail price.

Sample - Quite good, light appearance, a nose that's Oakey but a sweet body (very sweet). No burn. Sweet aftertaste When sampling again - definitely more lip burn but still very good.