Yellowstone launches rum-finished Bourbon

Kentucky-based Limestone Branch Distillery has launched a Yellowstone Bourbon that is finished in Cuban rum casks.

The release is part of the distillery’s Special Finishes Collection, which debuted last October with a finish in toasted staves. Aged for four years, the Rum Cask Finish liquid is made using Yellowstone’s traditional Bourbon mash bill, but with a nine-week finish in casks that had previously held rum distilled using molasses from sugarcane grown in Cuba. The brand said the unique nature of the finish has given the Bourbon’s profile a ‘flavourful blend of spice and tropical sweetness’. It is also described as having notes of ‘notes of toasted marshmallow, crème brûlée and toffee-toasted oak’ with the finish ‘highlighted by tobacco, clove, cocoa-seasoned oak and honey’. Stephen Beam, master distiller at Limestone Branch Distillery, said: “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. “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 flavours 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 our original profile.” Bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV), Yellowstone Rum Cask Finish is available in the US for $49.99 per 750ml bottle, and in the UK and Europe for £59 and €64 respectively. The Bourbon is currently being displayed at trade show ProWein, held in Dusseldorf, Germany, and can be found at the Luxco stand. Greg Mefford, Limestone’s international sales director, added: “There’s strong demand for speciality finishes of Bourbon across the UK and Europe. “The Special Finishes Collection appeals to fans of Limestone Branch Distillery’s flagship Bourbon Yellowstone Select, while also attracting new fans to the American whiskey category. “Secondary finishing creates intrigue and talkability. This draws in Scotch and rum fans, while also appealing to the growing legion of Bourbon enthusiasts around the world, who are seeking out carefully balanced takes on the more traditional vanilla and caramel flavours of Bourbon.” Last year, Yellowstone also made its first American single malt.