I’d like to thank Limestone Branch Distillery and their PR partners for sending this sample with no strings attached.
You know that summer is coming to a close when the limited edition bourbons start to be released. I’m always torn about covering those because the tagline at the top of the page says that this information is for frugal bourbon drinkers. But as I often need to remind myself, frugal and cheap are two completely different things. A cheap person is unwilling to spend money, whereas, to me, a frugal one is wants to spend it wisely. It’s a matter of degree. So, a long time ago, I decided to cover them. Partly because I’d quickly run out of content if I didn’t. But mostly because if no one takes the cost into account when covering them, how will anyone know if a given product is worth that added cost?
Of course, none of this really has anything to do with tonight’s limited edition. One of the things I’ve liked best about the Yellowstone brand is that they seemingly cater to the frugal bourbon drinker. I mean, while their limited editions obviously also cost more than the standard releases, compared to their peers, they are downright reasonable at “only” $100. And yet, they are always some of the best bourbons that come across my desk in a given year.
This year’s release is a blend of seven-year-old and fourteen-year-old Kentucky straight bourbons. They were finished separately in ruby port and tawny port casks before being blended together. It is bottled at 101 proof and will be for sale starting this month at select stores nationwide.
So let’s see if this one continues the trend of being one of the best bangs for your buck in the “Limited Edition” realm of bourbons.
Yellowstone Limited Edition, 2026
Purchase Info: This bottle was sent to me at no charge for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $99 for a 750 mL bottle.
Price per Drink (50 mL): $6.60
Details: 50.5% ABV. A blend of 7- and 14-year-old bourbons, finished separately in ruby port and tawny port casks prior to blending.
Nose: Brown sugar, oak, and red fruit.
Mouth: Sweet in the mouth with notes of brown sugar, baking spice, red fruit, leather, and oak.
Finish: Medium in warmth and length. Notes of caramel, cinnamon, leather, and oak.
Thoughts: As always, this is a delicious release. Honestly, it’s usually somewhere in the Top 5 of annual releases for me. This year seems to be no exception. This is delicious. I like how subtle the port influence is. Just some red fruit notes that help accentuate the caramel and oak notes of the bourbon. It's sweet, complex, and has a great mouthfeel and finish. I really like this one. And while it isn’t cheap, it is suitable for those of us who are frugal and can afford the splurge.
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