Yellowstone Limited Edition 2017 Bourbon Review

Photo courtesy of Limestone Branch Distillery

My last post of the year is a look at Yellowstone Limited Edition 2017, the third release of the annual series from Limestone Branch Distillery. I thought the first two limited edition expressions were pretty solid. This one is a blend of 7- and 12-year-old sourced bourbons and 4-year-old bourbon distilled at Limestone Branch Distillery. Yellowstone LE 2017 marks the first time the distillery has released their own distillate. The bourbon is then finished in charred wine barrels and bottled at 101 proof.

The nose is quite nice, with hints of dark fruits, toasted oak, corn pudding and caramel. On entry, the bourbon shows is richness with waves of rich, chewy caramel and baking spice. Following closely are bold splashes of dark fruit. Some oak tannins appear on the back palate, along with a touch of tobacco. The finish is long, sweet, and dry. Hints of black cherry and oak spice linger.

This may be my favorite of the three limited editions from Yellowstone. It is by far the richest, but I would argue that it is also the most complex. The development of flavors makes for an interesting glass of bourbon. My nitpicking in this case has less to do with the actual whiskey and more to do with the pricing, which sits at $100 a bottle. A little high if you ask me. Then again, only 7,000 to 8,000 bottles are being released, which is a tiny amount. And with today’s whiskey market, $100 is the new $50. So maybe it is priced where it needs to be. Either way, pricing aside, Yellowstone Limited Edition 2017 is a wonderfully rich and engaging bourbon that comes with a high recommendation. 8.5/10

yellowstonebourbon.com

Thanks to Limestone Branch Distillery for the sample. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Laphroaig 27-Year-Old Whisky Review

Laphroaig ends the year on a high note with the release of its 27-year-old single malt. This expression is the latest entry in the brand’s Super Premium series, following exquisite 32-year-old and 30-year-old whiskies, released in 2015 and 2016, respectively. For this 2017 release, whiskies matured in refill hogsheads were transferred to first-fill ex-bourbon barrels and refill quarter casks. After more than a quarter century of maturation, Laphroaig 27-year-old is bottled at 83.4 proof, or 41.7 ABV. It would be safe to assume this is cask strength given its random proof.

The whisky carries rich aromas of tropical fruit, leather, peat, citrus, and vanilla. On entry, vanilla cream develops into key lime pie, tobacco leaf, and tropical fruit punch. Hints of earthy peat and smoke begin gently piercing though but don’t overpower the other flavors. Of note is the whisky’s oily mouthfeel, which coats the palate in flavor. Though Laphroaig 27-year-old is a low 83.4 proof, it doesn’t present itself as thin or watered down. The finish is long and slightly warming with a citrus-tinged smoky character.

If you haven’t already guessed, I’m a fan. Laphroaig has another winner on their hands with this release. It is a satisfying, well-matured, and balanced whisky. Laphroaig lovers with deep pockets ($750 a bottle) should seek this out quickly, as it’s a one-time release. Highly recommended! 8.5/10

Laphroaig.com

Thanks to Laphroaig for the sample. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition Whiskey Review

Experimentation in the whiskey world is not only a way to stand out, but it’s a chance to showcase the quality of the whiskey itself in a sometimes interesting way. Irish whiskey giant Jameson came out with the Caskmates series a while back. The first expression was Jameson finished in barrels that held stout. Quite delicious! Jameson’s latest offering is another entry in the Caskmates series. This time, they have aged their whiskey in barrels that held IPA beer.

For Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition ($29.99), they sent freshly dumped barrels to a local craft brewery who filled them with IPA. After an undisclosed amount of time, the barrels were emptied and sent back to Jameson to be filled with their triple distilled Jameson Original, their standard expression. The resultant whiskey is bottled at 40%.

I’m not a fan of IPA. Let me rephrase that: I haven’t found an IPA I’ve liked. I prefer beer with more malt than hops. So my approach to this IPA cask-finished whiskey is met with slight anxiousness. I say that, but I enjoyed Glenfiddich IPA Cask.

The nose is bright, with hints of grapefruit, candied rose petals, toffee and hops. It’s actually not as hoppy as I expected. The low proof gives the whiskey a slightly watery mouthfeel. Taste-wise, a wonderful mélange of flavors features candied almond, orange peel, toffee and hops. The medium finish leaves lingering sweet malt and hops, as well as light floral notes.

The whiskey and IPA combination mostly works. It’s good, but I don’t find myself reaching for another glass. I loved the Caskmates Stout Edition, so my lack of enthusiasm for this IPA Edition has to do more with my dislike of IPA rather than the quality of the whiskey. 7/10

Jamesonwhiskey.com

Thanks to Jameson for the sample. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.