Limestone Branch Announces New Yellowstone Limited Edition Expression

Latest offering made with quality, mature 7-year-old and 15-year-old bourbons, including a select number of 7-year-old barrels finished in Amarone casks

ST. LOUIS, July 13, 2021 -- Limestone Branch Distillery is releasing 2021 Yellowstone Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Featuring the most mature and flavorful 7-year-old and 15-year-old bourbons hand-selected by Limestone Branch Master Distiller Stephen Beam – including select 7-year-old barrels finished in Amarone casks – the latest expression of Yellowstone Limited Edition will be available at retail starting in July at a suggested retail price of $99.99 per bottle.

Each year since 2015, Beam has produced a unique, 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 this year's Yellowstone Limited Edition, Beam selected Amarone casks to finish select barrels of 7-year-old-bourbon 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. 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," explained Beam. "With a finish of oxidized fruit, cherry and black currant, this bourbon is reminiscent of pre-Prohibition whiskeys."

2021 Limited Edition will be bottled at 101 proof (50.5% ABV) and sold in custom-designed bottles featuring embossing, a high-end natural cork and a label featuring the 2021 Yellowstone Limited Edition emblem. Beginning in July, 7,500 cases (3 bottles per case) will be available at retail locations nationwide – a 50% increase in production over 2020.

"Domestic straight bourbon sales saw 21% growth versus last year, with ultra-premium bourbons experiencing 38% growth. The Yellowstone brand has experienced nearly five times that level of growth," said Caitlin Palmieri Jackson, brand manager for Limestone Branch Distillery. "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."

In past years, the annual Yellowstone Limited Edition bottlings have included as many as three bourbons used in a blend, incorporating bourbon aged in wine casks, re-charred wine casks, and even wine casks charred three different times.