Limestone Branch Distillery has announced the 2021 Yellowstone Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
This version of the annual release features 7-year-old and 15-year-old bourbons selected by Limestone Branch Master Distiller Stephen Beam.
The blend includes 7-year-old barrels finished in Amarone casks.
Each year since 2015, Beam has put out a limited-edition bourbon under the Yellowstone brand, which was established in 1872 by Beam’s great-great-grandfather and early bourbon pioneer, J.W. Dant.
For 2021, Beam selected Amarone casks to complement the tasting notes of the extra-aged bourbons that make up this year’s Limited Edition.
“Amarone is a rich, red wine that — much like bourbon — takes time and patience to craft and requires at least two years in oak casks to age,” he says. “Finishing select barrels in these Amarone casks brings notes of fresh cracked pepper and tobacco, as well as hints of black cherry, fig and dark chocolate to the classic bourbon notes of caramel, vanilla and hints of citrus.”
“With a finish of oxidized fruit, cherry and black currant, this bourbon is reminiscent of pre-Prohibition whiskeys,” Beam adds.
The 2021 Limited Edition is 101 proof. It comes in custom-designed bottles with embossing, a high-end natural cork and a label featuring the 2021 Yellowstone Limited Edition emblem.
Beginning in July, 7,500 cases (three bottles per case) ship to retail locations nationwide. This represents a 50% increase in production over 2020, the company says.
“Domestic straight bourbon sales saw 21% growth versus last year, with ultra-premium bourbons experiencing 38% growth,” says Caitlin Palmieri Jackson, brand manager for Limestone Branch Distillery. “The Yellowstone brand has experienced nearly five times that level of growth.”
“Our Limited Edition expression is equal parts a celebration of that success and a way to raise awareness and continue momentum for the brand family,” Palmieri adds.
The suggested retail price for the 2021 Yellowstone Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is $99.99 per 750-ml. bottle.
In past years, the annual Yellowstone Limited Edition bottlings have included as many as three bourbons used in a blend. These incorporated bourbon aged in wine casks, re-charred wine casks and wine casks charred three different times.
