Yellowstone is a name that carries real weight in American whiskey circles. The brand traces its roots back to the 1870s, and while the modern incarnation operates under Limestone Branch Distillery's stewardship, the Toasted Bourbon expression from their Special Finish Collection shows there's genuine ambition behind the label. This particular bottling takes a straight bourbon and gives it additional time in toasted barrels — barrels that have been heated but not charred in the traditional sense. It's a finishing technique that's gained serious traction over the past few years, and at 50% ABV, Yellowstone has made the smart choice to bottle this at a proof that actually lets you taste what that secondary maturation is doing.
For those unfamiliar with the distinction, toasting a barrel applies a lower, more even heat than charring. Where a charred barrel gives you that aggressive caramel and carbon filtration effect, a toasted barrel coaxes out the wood sugars more gently — think baking versus grilling. The result, in theory, is a bourbon that leans into vanilla, baked goods, and softer toffee notes rather than the punchy char-driven spice you'd get from a standard new American oak finish. It's a subtle but meaningful difference, and it's one reason this category of finished bourbons has taken off.
Tasting Notes
I don't have my detailed tasting notes to hand for this particular bottle, so I'll hold off on filling in specific nose, palate, and finish descriptors rather than guess. What I can say is that the toasted barrel treatment at this proof point typically delivers a noticeably rounder, sweeter profile than the base bourbon alone. The 100-proof strength is the sweet spot — enough muscle to carry the oak influence without drowning it. You're in the territory of warm pastry, caramelised sugar, and a dry wood spice that keeps things from becoming cloying. If you've had other toasted barrel finishes in this price range, Yellowstone holds its own comfortably.
The Verdict
At £57.95, this sits right in the middle of a crowded field of finished bourbons, and I think it earns its place there. The 50% ABV is a real plus — too many special finish releases get bottled at 40-43% and lose all the character the extra maturation was supposed to add. Yellowstone hasn't made that mistake. It's an NAS release, which always warrants a raised eyebrow, but the proof and the quality of the finish suggest they've been thoughtful about barrel selection rather than just slapping a gimmick on young whiskey. This isn't going to rewrite your top ten list, but it's a well-executed bourbon that does exactly what it promises. A 7.5 out of 10 feels right — it's solidly above average, genuinely enjoyable, and the kind of bottle that disappears faster than you'd expect once you start pouring from it.
Best Served
This is a natural Old Fashioned bourbon. The toasted barrel character — all that extra vanilla and baked sweetness — pairs beautifully with a good demerara syrup and a couple of dashes of Angostura. The 100-proof strength means it stands up to dilution from the ice without going thin. Build it over a large cube, express an orange peel over the top, and you've got a cocktail that punches well above that £57.95 price tag. Equally, this drinks very well neat or with a few drops of water if you want to appreciate the finish work on its own terms. Either way, don't over-chill it — you want those toasted wood notes to open up, not shut down.
