Pear | Green grape | Apple | Light vanilla | Subtle aroma

Candy apple | Apricot | Pear | Caramel | Touch of leather | Baking spices | Nicely balanced

Stone fruit | Pear | Caramel | Brown sugar | Lingering spice on the backend

Limestone Branch Distillery has been distilling since 2011, and released their first annual limited edition in 2015. The whiskey was curated by master distiller Stephen Beam, and for the first time for a limited edition release, was double finished in both Cognac and brandy barrels. The release totals 10,000 3-bottle cases, and is available nationwide starting in September.

Combining 7 and 17 year old Kentucky bourbons and finishing in two different barrel types suggests the result might be wild and heavily oaked, but this year’s limited edition release from Yellowstone is anything but. Focusing heavily on light fruit flavors, the whiskey is grounded, traditional tasting, and easy-drinking, but quite satisfying nonetheless. The sip starts with a very light aroma of pear, green grape, apple, and light vanilla. On the palate a wave of sweet flavors highlights the midpoint - candy apple, apricot, pear, and caramel - with a touch of leather and baking spices providing balance. Stone fruit, more pear, and sweeter flavors of caramel and brown sugar round out the start of the finish, which transitions to a lingering spice note on the backend. While the whiskey may not be extremely memorable in terms of offering a unique flavor profile, it is still quite satisfying and highly drinkable making for a pour that is immediately enjoyable.

The bottle in review is numbered 21,134.