Yellowstone Toasted Bourbon

Yellowstone Toasted Bourbon is a 100 proof (50% ABV) Kentucky straight bourbon finished with five distinct toasted oak staves, available in a 750ml bottle. This expression earned a Double Gold at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, followed by a Gold Medal and 93 points at the 2025 edition of the same competition, confirming its standing among top-tier finished bourbons.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 Proof)  |  Origin: Lebanon, Kentucky, USA  |  4 Years Old, Toasted Stave Finish  |  Distillery: Limestone Branch Distillery

Production & Heritage

Limestone Branch Distillery in Lebanon, Kentucky, was founded in 2010 by Stephen and Paul Beam, descendants of one of bourbon's most storied families. The Yellowstone brand itself dates back to 1872, making it one of the oldest bourbon labels in continuous use. For the Toasted expression, a four-year-old straight bourbon with a mashbill of 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley undergoes a secondary finishing process using five different toasted oak staves: High Toast, American Oak Double Toast, High Vanilla, Rickhouse, and Spicerack. Master Distiller Stephen Beam began experimenting with toasted barrels during Yellowstone Limited Edition releases in 2016, 2017, and 2018, and that hands-on research shaped the specific stave blends and ratios used in this permanent release. Some bottles even include small samples of the five wooden staves so drinkers can nose each sliver of oak individually.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Toasted caramel and warm vanilla arrive first, followed by layers of fall baking spices and cinnamon. A subtle undercurrent of brown sugar and orange peel adds depth as the bourbon opens up in the glass.

Taste: The entry is rich with toffee and walnut, moving into a mid-palate of buttered popcorn and green apple that keeps the sweetness in check. Black tea and white pepper emerge at the peak, with a savory oak backbone and peppercorn spice providing structure throughout.

Finish: Medium-long, with cocoa and tobacco lingering alongside crisp, toasted oak. The warmth stays balanced, fading into a clean, slightly dry close that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Yellowstone Toasted

At 100 proof, this bourbon holds up well neat or with a single large ice cube, which opens up the vanilla and caramel notes without diluting the toasted oak character. A few drops of water can soften the peppercorn spice for those who want to focus on the sweeter stave-driven flavors.

In an Old Fashioned, the toasted stave complexity substitutes for the sweetness of simple syrup, producing a richer, more layered version of the classic. A Boulevardier benefits from the cocoa and tobacco finish, which stands up to Campari's bitterness without getting lost. For a warming seasonal drink, a Hot Toddy lets the cinnamon and brown sugar aromas amplify beautifully with heat and honey.

Best For

• Bourbon enthusiasts exploring stave-finished and secondary-maturation techniques
• Gifting to someone who already appreciates Woodford Reserve Double Oaked or Maker's Mark Private Selection
• Fall and winter fireside sipping sessions at full proof
• Building a home bar flight comparing traditional, toasted, and charred bourbon finishes

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Yellowstone Toasted taste like? The dominant profile centers on toasted caramel, toffee, and walnut, balanced by black tea and white pepper spice. Cocoa and tobacco emerge on the finish, anchored by a clean, crisp oak backbone.

How does Yellowstone Toasted compare to Woodford Reserve Double Oaked? Both use secondary oak treatment to add depth, but Yellowstone Toasted employs five distinct toasted stave types rather than a single additional barrel maturation, resulting in a wider spectrum of wood-driven flavors. Yellowstone also bottled at a higher 100 proof versus Woodford Reserve Double Oaked's 90.4 proof, delivering more intensity on the palate.

Is Yellowstone Toasted good for sipping neat? Yes — the 100 proof carries enough concentration to deliver full flavor without excessive heat, and the five-stave finish adds a layered complexity that rewards slow, deliberate tasting.

Where is Yellowstone Toasted made? It is produced at Limestone Branch Distillery in Lebanon, Kentucky, located in Marion County within the heart of bourbon country. The distillery is operated by Stephen and Paul Beam, members of the historic Beam distilling family.

What foods pair well with Yellowstone Toasted? Smoked brisket complements the toasted oak and pepper notes. Dark chocolate truffles echo the cocoa on the finish. Pecan pie mirrors the toffee and brown sugar sweetness. Aged Gouda matches the caramel richness, and apple crisp pairs naturally with the cinnamon and baking spice aromas.

What sizes does Yellowstone Toasted come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Yellowstone Toasted worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium bourbon, and the multi-stave finishing process, 100 proof bottling strength, and consistent competition medals — including a Double Gold at the 2024 SFWSC — place it among strong values in the finished-bourbon category.

Why Yellowstone Toasted?

The five-stave toasted finishing process is genuinely uncommon in the bourbon market. Where most toasted or double-oaked bourbons rely on a single secondary barrel, Yellowstone Toasted layers five individually toasted stave profiles — High Toast, American Oak Double Toast, High Vanilla, Rickhouse, and Spicerack — for a level of wood-driven complexity that is difficult to replicate. Stephen Beam's years of experimentation with toasted barrels during limited-edition releases gave him verifiable data to fine-tune the final blend. The result has been validated by a Double Gold at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and a Platinum at the 2025 ASCOT Awards, placing this expression firmly in the upper tier of production bourbons exploring secondary oak maturation.