Reviews

Yellowstone Select Coming Soon

 

Photo courtesy of Limestone Branch Distillery

On the heels of the one-time bottling of Yellowstone Limited Edition in the fall of 2015, Limestone Branch Distillery and Luxco announced the first new permanent bourbon expression carrying the Yellowstone name.  Yellowstone Select is a blend of sourced 4-year and 7 year bourbons.  I’m told production size is 10,000 cases a year.  You should begin seeing the new Yellowstone Select in stores late December/January.  Also of interest is the last paragraph in their press release.

Below is the full press release:

(Lebanon, Ky.) December 14, 2015 – Limestone Branch Distillery introduces Yellowstone Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon, set to hit the market this month. Bottled at 93 proof and available in a 750ml bottle with a commemorative tube, Yellowstone Select is crafted using hand-selected barrels of 4-year and 7-year Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

“Yellowstone Select uses some of the finest hand-selected barrels available to create a well-rounded bourbon –  a spicy rye taste at first rounding out with caramel notes and a rich, brown sugar finish that highlights Kentucky tradition,” says Steve Beam, president and distiller of Limestone Branch Distillery. “In 2010, my family and I founded Limestone Branch Distillery with the intention of crafting only the finest whiskey and the dream of restoring the Yellowstone brand to its former glory. In the spring of 2015, that dream came true, and to celebrate this family reunion of sorts, we bring you Yellowstone Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.”

Yellowstone Select’s suggested retail price is $49.99 and will be available nationally. It is the second offering from Limestone Branch Distillery, following the success of Yellowstone Limited Edition, which launched in fall 2015.

Steve Beam and his brother Paul Beam founded Limestone Branch Distillery in 2010. The distillery is known for its Moon Pie Moonshine, T.J. Pottinger Sugar Shine and Precinct No. 6 whiskey. With a history of distilling on both sides of their family, the brothers are seventh-generation distillers, and are currently working on the original Yellowstone recipe.

“Bringing the Yellowstone brand back to our family continues to be a point of pride, and we will continue to create unique bourbons that celebrate the brand’s rich history,” says Steve Beam.

In addition, in fall of 2016, Limestone Branch is planning on launching the Yellowstone Barrel Selection Program, where consumers can create a one-of-a-kind bourbon experience. The program will allow participants to choose their own mash bill, barrel size, barrel char level and aging level, as well as allowing them to choose their level of involvement in the process. Participants will be able to select their personalized bourbon and visit the distillery to fill the barrel and bottle the product.

(Note: Revised 12/15/15 to mention Yellowstone Select is a blend of sourced whiskies.)

Laphroaig 32-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky Review
Photo courtesy of Laphroaig.

Photo courtesy of Laphroaig.

This year, Laphroaig has reached a milestone 200th anniversary.  To celebrate, the distillery has released several limited edition whiskies.  Earlier this year we saw the (brief) return of Laphroaig 15-year-old, said to be a favorite of Prince Charles.  Laphroaig Cairdeas 2015 was introduced at this year’s Fèis Ìle.  Both great whiskies.  Then Laphroaig announced a bombshell – a 32-year-old expression.

A very limited release, Laphroaig 32-year was aged exclusively in ex-Oloroso sherry casks.  It’s been bottled at 46.7% abv and is available at a suggested retail price of $1,200.

Thirty-two years is a very long time.  After such an extended maturation process, that infamous Laphroaig peaty punch is gone from the nose.  Instead, lovely stewed fruit (tropical fruit & red apples), brown sugar and baking spices are most prevalent aromas.  The peat smoke here is secondary, lifting the fruit notes above all else.  On entry, there’s a whiff of smoke that leads to honeyed and spiced fruit, and a hint of orange zest.  A brief bitter note shows up.  It lies somewhere between coffee and dark chocolate.  The sherry cask influence is evident in the form of spice and a very light wine note.  The smoke lurks in the background and, like in the nose, is not dominant.  Old and slightly astringent oak shows up for the dry finish.

Amazing.  Simply amazing.  Everything in this whisky is so beautifully balanced.  My gripe is there’s not enough of this whisky to go around.  It’s sad, really.  Anybody collecting this bottle should really pop the cork and pour a dram.  To sit on a shelf and collect dust is the real sin.  After all, whisky is made for drinking.  For those with deep pockets, this is an easy recommendation.

9.5/10
(Note: A small review sample was provided by Laphroaig.)

Laphroaig Cairdeas 2015 Single Malt Scotch Whisky Review
Photo courtesy of Laphroaig.

Photo courtesy of Laphroaig.

Laphroaig’s 200th anniversary year-long celebration saw the release of several expressions this year.  Released during this year’s Fèis Ìle, Laphroaig’s annual Cairdeas (Gaelic for “friendship”) release is highly anticipated by Laphroaig fans.  The 2015 release is bottled at 51.5% abv and available for around $75.  According to the Laphroaig website:

The 2015 bottling is produced from of our finest floor malting’s malt, distilled using only the smaller stills and fully matured in our famous No1 warehouse, right by the sea. Cairdeas 2015 is therefore John’s interpretation of how Laphroaig would have been produced at the distillery 200 years ago.

100% Laphroaig floor maltings?  Distilled only in their smaller stills?  If this doesn’t get you excited, you might as well give up drinking Scotch.

Big “Laphroaig smoke” on the nose, alongside ripe fruit like apples and pineapples and lemon zest.  A touch of honey and oak round things off.  Taste wise, I get smoked caramel and peat right up front.  Underneath is a bed of candied orange, wet bandages, sea salt and charred oak.  The finish is long, with ash smoke and a sweet citrus-fruit note running through.

This is a full-bodied whisky that isn’t as peaty as Laphroaig 10-year, and showcases nice fruit notes throughout.  I love the citrus aspect running thoughout the entire experience, and think this is a better blend than their 15-year.  Tasting this whisky at night, I’m afraid I’m going to have “Laphroaig mouth” in the morning, and that isn’t a bad thing!  Another delightful release from Laphroaig.

8.5/10
(Note: A small review sample was provided by Laphroaig.)