Yellowstone Hand Picked Collection Single Barrel Bourbon

It's not a big and bold flavored bottle like I usually prefer, but it tastes like absolute well-balanced quality bourbon. Rishi charged $80 for his private pick, which feels a little over priced for this juice, especially at this age (~5 years). But this is undeniably quality juice and I'm happy to have it on my shelf.

Kenwood—- nose smells of red hots/cinnamon.. taste- cinnamon and fall spices. Sweet fruits and vanilla.

$60; 115 Proof single barrel store pick; Approximately 5 year old juice - Barreled 09/03/15; Freshly opened bottle with rating based on second pour. Tasted neat in Glencairn; Rested 15+ mins. Like an earlier reviewer stated, not a whole lot coming from the nose and for the proof just the most subtle bit of ethanol. Digging deep there's perhaps the slightest tinge of fresh oak and vanilla nut or vanilla wafers hiding in there. Upon tasting, the palate comes on with an initial wave of vanilla sweetness along with a lovely creamy coating mouthfeel. And then it quickly evolves into a nutter butter profile with a little banana pudding mixing in. Some nice spicey notes then start to show as well as its proof begins to appear with just the right amount of tinglining heat -- but based on how it drinks you'd think it was a lower proof than its 115. And as it slowly fades, cocoa accents that are slightly bitter (in a good way) mixes in with the sweet notes as a balanced bittersweetness lingers on the medium length finish. Overall a solid and very enjoyable pour that was teetering between a 4 - 4.25 rating IMO. Really like it and will likely purchase another bottle, however think it would merit the higher rating if more nuances showed in the nose.

Following up with another Limestone Branch Distiller sample, this one 7166848 @109 proof, well if Limestone Branch was founded by Beam descendants this does indeed bring a lot of Beam substance. You can imagine a bit of peanut brittle with the caramelized sugars and nibs, hints of fruit, a bit of sweet cinnamon spices, in fact if I had to guess in a blind tasting I would say this is Beam SiB or maybe even Signature craft, either way the heritage factor is in play. Not a load of big, strong sugar spectrum and only moderate in complexity but definitely classic whiskey notes. The nose doesn't offer much else aside from the nice ethel burn, the front loads with the noted sugars being prevalent and the finish is warm, almost hot but surprisingly pure. No hints of immaturity, it's a clean warm burn on the finish. Just not much variation which is also something of a Beam tradition, what it does offer is honest straight bourbon appeal. While I'm seeing the standard 92 proof Yellowstone everywhere, this bottle seems to be a bit of a unicorn, harder to find but easily the better of them, for comparison I also have some of the 101 Limited 9 year that's been going out for awhile, the 101 is far tamer in the heat dept, and a good bit smoother in feel. Both of these leave some thick, oily trails on the glass and have a great mature feel to them. I'd probably opt for the 101 in most cases and circumstances but the higher proof 109 has that certain "straight bourbon" character that you recognize on taste and some may appreciate that "honest punch of booze" feel more than others. Worth a go if this is your thing. Cheers!

Binnys pick 115 proof.

Binnys store pick. 115 proof. Amazing sweetness early then great spice takes over and stays heavy on the tongue.