About The Yellowstone Family Recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Back in April, we mentioned Kentucky’s Limestone Branch Distillery, producer of Yellowstone Whiskey, had launched Yellowstone Family Recipe: a new bourbon that gives a shoutout to founder Stephen Beam’s Beam and Dant family bourbon heritages.
It’s inspired by a recipe found in notes from Beam’s grandfather, Guy Beam, and contains cloned yeast using DNA from a yeast jug belonging to Beam’s great-grandfather, Minor Case Beam. It follows Limestone Branch’s Yellowstone recipe, with a mash bill of 75 percent corn, 13 percent rye, and 12 percent malted barley. It’s aged six years and bottled at 100 proof.
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The History of Yellowstone Whiskey
Yellowstone Whiskey, crafted by the Limestone Branch Distillery, boasts a rich heritage that dates back to 1872, inspired by the founding of Yellowstone National Park. Originally produced by J.B. Dant, a member of the legendary Dant distilling family, Yellowstone Whiskey quickly gained prominence as a symbol of quality Kentucky bourbon. The brand experienced decades of success before eventually fading from prominence in the mid-20th century. In 2010, the Yellowstone Whiskey legacy was revived when brothers Steve and Paul Beam, descendants of both the Beam and Dant families, established Limestone Branch Distillery to honor their family’s bourbon-making traditions.
Limestone Branch also donates $1.50 of every bottle of Yellowstone Select sold, up to $30,000, to the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), an independent organization working tirelessly to strengthen and protect America’s national parks. Who can’t get behind that?!
Yellowstone Whiskey Today (Updated December 2024)
Since 2022, Yellowstone Whiskey has expanded its portfolio to include innovative releases that cater to evolving whiskey trends while staying true to its heritage. In addition to its flagship Yellowstone Select Bourbon and the coveted Yellowstone Limited Edition Bourbons, the brand has introduced expressions like Yellowstone American Single Malt Whiskey, reflecting the growing demand for this distinct whiskey style in the U.S. market.
The brand has also continued to refine its offerings with unique cask finishes and small-batch experimental releases, such as limited runs of rye whiskey finished in specialty barrels.
Why Is The Brand Called Yellowstone?
Yellowstone Bourbon, introduced in 1872 by J.B. Dant, was named to honor the establishment of Yellowstone National Park, which was founded the same year as the first national park in the United States.
Tasting Notes: Yellowstone Family Recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Vital stats: 100 proof; mash bill of 75 percent corn, 13 percent rye, and 12 percent malted barley; aged six years; approximately $70.
Appearance: More on the orange side of whiskey than copper. Light caramel, a little brassy.
Nose: Bananas. Like a lot of bananas. That’s not bad: I mean, think of all the banana desserts that exist and entice, right? Bananas drizzled with alcohol and set on fire, bananas sliced lengthwise as a boat for ice cream, bananas processed into homemade protein bars on Instagram (which seem to be coming up a lot on my feed ever since I wrote this review). But this smells more of, like, countertop bananas. Other than banana, I get new-mown grass, and baked apples (I know, more fruit.) And hay. There is something very autumnal about the nose of this whiskey. And although spring is my favorite season, I ain’t mad. If you get past the banana, this smells like fall in a Glencairn.
Palate: This is 100 proof. It wants to tell you! It’s shouting! There’s a slight prickle and burn at the start and finish, respectively. I want more depth of flavor, but this comes across as one-note. Some whiskeys taste more expensive than they are. This isn’t one of them. I understand the care involved in crafting a whiskey, but I wanted more and don’t find the value to be there. It’s a middle of the road whiskey.
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How To Enjoy
As stated in the comments, this feels like more of an accompaniment than a whiskey that would be the main event. As such, it could work well in Yellowstone’s Smiked Maple Old Fashioned. Although the brand typically recommends using Yellowstone Bourbon in this recipe, why not give this a whirl?
- 2 oz Yellowstone Family Recipe
- 1/2 oz maple syrup
- A few dashes of Angostura bitters
- Ice
- Smoke – either with a smoking gun or use an oak or maple wood chip
- Orange peel for garnish
This review was originally published in July 2022, and updated in December 2024.
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