Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished with Toasted Oak Staves

YELLOWSTONE TOASTED OAK STAVES NOSE: Unimpressed. Young Corn, Raw Oak, a Hint of Brown Sugar, Char, a Slight Savory Note, and a little Stinging Heat. Does get better with time as some Crisp Apple, Rye Spice, and Fennel Seed appear. NEAT: Slightly better than the nose, but the overall vibe is the same. Youthful and Tannic with Mild Toasted Marshmallow and Charred Oak. Burnt Oak Finish with Wood Spice Coating and Lingering. SPLASH: Helps with the tannins, but it takes on a weird medicinal taste (kids' antibiotic?) VERDICT: I have liked most Yellowstone offerings, but have really only been wowed by the Hand Picked Select Cask Strength (which is Barton sourced). This one I didn't care for at all. It's almost as if the youth was amplified by the Toasted Oak staves. Maker's 46 does this MUCH better, and for $15 less.

I enjoy toasted bourbons, so naturally I had to give this a go. Unfortunately, this only falls somewhere mid pack vs the others I've tried. Its not bad, but along with the sweet toasted caramel notes, theres a slight old cooking oil sort of mustiness undertone that cones through on the finish. I'm enjoying this bottle, but for a few dollars more I much prefer Old forester 1910 or Woodford double oak. Also, this one isnt in wide distribution in my area.

First sip of this bottle and I was impressed. $49 toasted finish that competes (maybe better) than EC and other higher priced and harder to find toasted finishes.