As it continues to meet demand for innovative expressions of bourbon, Kentucky-based Limestone Branch Distillery has announced the second release in its Yellowstone Special Finishes Collection: Yellowstone Rum Cask Finish. This is the latest inspiration from Limestone Branch Distillery Master Distiller Stephen Beam, and it is set to hit retail shelves in March. Aged four years and bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV), Yellowstone Rum Cask Finish will be available nationwide at a suggested retail price of $49.99 per 750-ml bottle.
The new release starts with Yellowstone’s traditional bourbon mash bill and then is aged for nine weeks in casks that previously held rum distilled using molasses from sugarcane grown in the rich, fertile soils and tropical Caribbean climate of Cuba. The resulting bourbon features a flavorful blend of spice and tropical sweetness; a medium body with notes of toasted marshmallow, crème brûlée and toffee toasted oak; and the finish is highlighted by tobacco, clove, cocoa seasoned oak and honey.
“Rum has the sweetest notes of all the casks we’ve used for secondary finishing, and it was an ideal choice for the next adventure in our Special Finishes Collection,” said Beam. “Rum is an exceptional compliment to bourbon, and they come together to create subtle notes of sweetness and brown sugar, which are soaked up and stored within the staves and perfectly complement the vanilla, caramel and rye flavors of Yellowstone. Our four-year bourbon is a classic Kentucky bourbon and makes for a fantastic base. This allows me to go in many directions with the finishes while remaining true to or original profile.”
The packaging for Yellowstone Special Finishes Collection features the brand’s iconic bottle and Roosevelt Arch artwork, as well as a more prominent version of the Yellowstone brand name and a Special Finishes Collection call-out. The bottle’s blue top-wrap helps to differentiate Yellowstone Rum Cask Finish from other Yellowstone variants. The Special Finishes Collection launched in October of 2023 with the release of Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Toasted Staves.
