Stands Out

Yellowstone 2019 Limited Edition

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Yellowstone 2019 Limited Edition
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

50.5% ABV
$100
Website
Yellowstone 2019 Limited Edition
We would like to thank Limestone Branch and Common Ground PR for sending us samples to review.

What the Producer Says

Limestone Branch Distillery introduces the 2019 variety of Yellowstone® Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon, set to hit the market in August. This year’s edition includes a hand-picked selection of the most unique barrels – those hidden gems in the rick house – including barrels of extra-aged nine-year and 12-year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

“I tasted many quality, mature Kentucky Straight Bourbons in order to find the right two ages for this year’s release – I had a certain taste profile in mind and I sought those barrels that matched it,” says Steve Beam, head distiller at Limestone Branch Distillery. “The barrels I chose were in different parts of the rick house and each barrel’s unique location contributed to the taste profile and complexity of this bourbon. When combined, these extra-aged bourbons create a mature and complex bourbon with robust spice and oaky undertones.”

Yellowstone has been one of Kentucky’s favorites since 1872. This year’s edition brings cinnamon notes with toffee, dried fruit and a hint of citrus to the palate, followed by a dry finish of brown sugar and oak. Using Beam’s expertise and honed palate, only the finest barrels were chosen for this year’s release.

Bottled at 101 proof and available in 750ml bottles nestled in commemorative tubes, the 2019 Yellowstone Limited Edition continues to honor the long-standing tradition. Approximately 12,500 bottles of this bourbon are being produced at Limestone Branch Distillery, and the suggested retail price is $99.99.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Lovely caramel, oak, vanilla wafers, cinnamon, allspice, and toasted orange zest.
Palate:  Rich caramel and vanilla buttercream frosting, oak with a spicy bite of clove and citrus spice mid-way through the palate before bringing out some milk chocolate.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with some pepper spice and cinnamon.
Comments:  This is a solid bourbon with a spicy edge to it.  Some might call it ‘brash’ (which to me isn’t a bad thing; Stagg is ‘brash’ and I’d never turn down a pour of it!). I don’t think it is too sharp or spicy, and it has those sweet notes you’d expect in a bourbon. If you’re a fan of ‘sweet & mellow’ bourbon, this might be outside your comfort zone. For those that like a spicier pour (like Wild Turkey or Old Forester), this is likely right up your alley. A bit of water doesn’t hurt it, but I didn’t find it needed it either.

Rating: Stands Out

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Deanston 12 Year Sherry Oak

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Deanston 12 Year Sherry Oak
Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

40% ABV
$44
Website
Deanston 12 Year Sherry Oak
We would like to thank Paul (who shares reviews on Distiller.com, as well as reviews and general musings on his YouTube channel Dapper Drams) for the sample to review!

What the Distillery Says

SHERRY OAK
Finished in Sherry Casks

Our tight-knit community is embodied in the traditional methods used to produce this unique single malt whisky.

Crafted by hand, this Deanston malt has been finished in sherry casks to ensure a rich amber colour and deep flavour. This creates a warm, fruity dram which tastes best when shared.

COLOUR: Amber gold
NOSE: The characteristic honey of Deanston, subtle dried fruit with hints of toffee, oak and delicate spice.
PALATE: Sweet honey and fruit, hints dried fruit and toffee with delicate rich oak and sweet maltiness.
FINISH: Sweet and lingering with hints of fruit and delicate spice.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Heavy fruit, raisins, plums, figs, tart berries, fresh prairie grass, brown sugar, honey, oak and a hint of balsamic.
Palate:  Sweet honey malt, fruitcake, raisins, nutmeg, oak with a dash of pepper.
Finish:  Moderate in length, slightly drying with dried dark fruit.
Comments:  This is a Taiwanese market exclusive that a fellow whisk(e)y enthusiast won at auction, so it isn’t mentioned on their web-site. The details above were from images of the box I could find on-line (so if they had multiple varieties of this, may not line up exactly – sorry). I’m unfamiliar with Deanston, so when arranging to trade samples, I picked this to try.
It’s quite a pleasant dram, not particularly complex but fairly ‘flavor intense’ for 40% ABV. I wouldn’t go out of my way to track one down necessarily, but nothing objectionable with this (although at 40% ABV, I did find it didn’t take water well; thinned out rather quickly – which isn’t a surprise for the low proof).

Rating: Stands Out

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Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review / ,

Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition

40% ABV
$30
Website
Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition

What the Distillery Says

Irish Whiskey, craft beer barrels.
Like all the best conversations, the one between Jameson’s Head of Whiskey Science and the Head Brewer of a local craft beer brewery, started at the bar. A swapping of whiskey and beer barrels soon after, resulted in Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition – triple-distilled, blended Irish Whiskey that has been patiently finished in Irish craft beer-seasoned barrels.

Nose: An initial aroma of freshly cut hay is complemented by a crisp orchard fruit character – green apples and pears, with a twist of lime zest. Mild pot still spices appear, deepening from green tea to hazelnut and milk chocolate.
Taste: The initial sweet mouth coating typical of the Irish pot still inclusion is quickly complemented by the subtle touch of hops and cocoa beans from the beer cask finish.
Finish: Long and sweet with milk chocolate and butterscotch.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Floral and yeasty notes of cut hay, dry cocoa powder, subtle pears with hints of dried tea.
Palate:  Sweet with a creamy mouthfeel, caramel and honey with bits of cocoa, a touch of stout.
Finish:  Short to moderate in length, on the damp side, sweet with notes of stout.
Comments:  Per their original press release, this is a collaboration with local Irish micro-brewery Franciscan Well. Of the three Caskmates I reviewed, this was the lightest in color and the most like Jameson Irish Whiskey.
A much more gentle, nuanced finish compared with the Bale Breaker Topcutter IPA or Revolution Brewing editions. Nosing reminds me a bit of an empty pint of Guinness. Nothing objectionable, but this was the least interesting of the three for me – which is strange as Guinness is one of the only beers I do enjoy.

Rating: Average/Stands Out

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Jameson Caskmates Revolution Brewing Limited Edition

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review / ,

Jameson Caskmates Revolution Brewing Limited Edition

40% ABV
$30
Website
Jameson Caskmates Revolution Brewing Limited Edition
We would like to thank Jameson and Ketchum for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Jameson Irish Whiskey heightens their collaboration with local Chicago tastemaker, Revolution Brewing, with the release of Jameson Caskmates Revolution Brewing Limited Edition. This latest Caskmates Edition was conceived when Revolution Brewing travelled to Ireland to brew their signature beer, Fist City Pale Ale, to season Jameson casks. The Jameson Blenders used these beer-seasoned casks to create Jameson Caskmates Revolution Brewing Limited edition, pairing together each liquid’s unique flavor – the smooth taste of Jameson with the signature characteristics of Revolution Brewing’s Fist City Pale Ale.

Jameson Caskmates Revolution Brewing Limited Edition is best enjoyed neat or on the rocks alongside Revolution Brewing’s Fist City Pale Ale.

Nose: Delicate fruits, grapefruit and lingering sweet notes
Taste: Full bodied and smooth with hints of both hops and vanilla
Finish: Spice character and hops fade slowly into lingering fruit notes and toasted oak

What Gary Says

Nose:  Some citrus zip right off the bat, grapefruit, clove, orange bitters, subtle honey with brighter herbal notes.
Palate:  Citrus spice with vanilla and honey; fruit that is more citrus than orchard, some tangerines along with grapefruit but a bit of pear sneaks in, just a touch of pepper in the back.
Comments:  Like the Jameson Caskmates Bale Breaker Topcutter IPA Limited Edition, I tasted this side by side with Jameson Irish Whiskey (as well as some other Caskmates vintages) for comparative purposes. My first thought when sipping this one was “Damn, this is almost rye-whiskey like!” which is a compliment. No dill, but the citrus edge this has definitely had my brain thinking about rye. This has quite a bit more citrus and edge to it than the Jameson Caskmates Bale Breaker, and while not a beer drinker – I really liked this one (maybe because of the echos of rye). Both of these definitely take that smooth, sweet Jameson and give it a blue-collar edge that I think fans of both will enjoy. And if you like rye whiskey – I’d put this in the ‘Must Try’ category for the experience.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Jameson Caskmates Bale Breaker Topcutter IPA Limited Edition

/ / Irish Whiskey, Review /

Jameson Caskmates Bale Breaker Topcutter IPA Limited Edition

40% ABV
$30
Website
Jameson Caskmates Top Cutter IPA Edition
We would like to thank Jameson and Ketchum for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Jameson Irish Whiskey heightens their collaboration with local Washington tastemaker, Bale Breaker Brewing Co, with the release of Jameson Caskmates Topcutter IPA Limited Edition. This latest Caskmates Edition was conceived when Bale Breaker travelled to Ireland to brew their signature beer, Topcutter IPA, to season Jameson casks. The Jameson Blenders then used these beer-seasoned casks to create Jameson Caskmates Topcutter IPA Limited Edition, pairing together each liquid’s unique flavor – the smooth taste of Jameson with the hoppy characteristics and distinct flavors of Bale Breaker’s signature Topcutter IPA.

Nose: Rich in hops with delicate floral notes
Taste: Citrus notes with some spices and vanilla throughout
Finish: Rich, lasting finish with hints of hops fading to notes of oak and spice

What Gary Says

Nose:  Honey with hops, both floral and herbal notes, a touch of clove; richer and more savory than Jameson Irish Whiskey.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, starting off sweet with orchard fruits – pears and apples, then evolving with apricots, tangerines, and a hoppy beer note; notes of vanilla and honey underlying.
Finish:  On the short side, with citrus, hoppy note.
Comments:  I apologize up front if I’m creating any confusion on the name (Jameson’s web-site refers to this as ‘Topcutter IPA Limited Edition’, but the press-release refers to it as ‘Bale Breaker Limited Edition’; and on the bottle ‘Bale Breaker’ is in larger type and more prominent; so I combined them to be safe). Full disclosure – I am not a beer drinker (so apologies in advance to those who are and find my descriptors in this area lacking!) I tasted this and several other Caskmates vintages side by side with Jameson Irish Whiskey for a baseline frame of reference. I definitely get the IPA cask influence here. The finish leaves me feeling like I had just sipped a beer rather than an Irish whiskey, and this has a lot more savory and herbal flavors going on. That said, it doesn’t lose the honey sweetness I get from Jameson. I think fans of Jameson and IPAs would find this interesting, and priced where trying it out won’t break the bank.

Rating: Stands Out

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