Yellowstone 2026 Limited Edition Bourbon Review

Yellowstone Bourbon
2026 Limited Edition
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Finished in Ruby and Tawny Port Casks
101 Proof
SRP: $99
Review

Please enjoy my Yellowstone 2026 Limited Edition Bourbon Review!

Background

Yellowstone Bourbon is produced by Limestone Branch Distillery, where seventh-generation Master Distiller Stephen Beam creates a new Limited Edition expression each year. Yellowstone Limited Edition 2026 is the 11th release in the annual series. It combines 7- and 14-year-old Kentucky straight bourbons with separate ruby and tawny port cask finishes.

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone inspired this year’s release. Beam used the two types of port casks to represent the contrasting light and shadow found throughout the landscape. After approximately 12 weeks of finishing, equal amounts of the ruby and tawny port-finished bourbons were combined and bottled at 101 proof.

Details – Yellowstone 2026 Limited Edition Bourbon Review

• Brand: Yellowstone Bourbon
• Producer: Limestone Branch Distillery
• Master Distiller: Stephen Beam
• Series: The 11th annual Yellowstone Limited Edition release
• Classification: Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey finished in ruby and tawny port casks
• Ages: A blend of 7- and 14-year-old bourbons
• Age proportions: The exact proportions are proprietary. Beam said the blend contains predominantly 7-year-old bourbon and a significant amount of 14-year-old bourbon.
• Role of each age: According to Beam, the 7-year-old bourbon provides the body, while the 14-year-old bourbon adds depth and contributes to a longer finish.
• Distillation source: Beam said the bourbon came from Lux Row and/or third-party sources rather than Limestone Branch.
• Blending process: The 7- and 14-year-old bourbons were blended before being divided between the two types of port casks.
• Finishing casks: Ruby and tawny port casks acquired through a barrel broker
• Finishing location: Luxco in St. Louis
• Finishing time: Approximately 12 weeks in both types of port casks
• Final finishing blend: Equal amounts of the ruby and tawny port-finished bourbons
• Finishing-cask entry proof: Approximately 105 proof
• Proof: 101 proof
• SRP: $99
• Availability: Available at the Limestone Branch Distillery Visitor’s Center, with availability at select retailers nationwide beginning in August 2026

Tasting Notes – Yellowstone 2026 Limited Edition Bourbon Review

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested: 15 minutes in a Glencairn glass
👉🏻 Nose: Moderately sweet; dark caramel; sweet dark stone fruits like dark sweet plums and dark cherries; subtle red-wine-soaked staves; hint of hot cinnamon, which becomes more evident with progressive sips; hint of charred oak
👉🏻 Taste: Port more noticeable; caramel; honey; subtle hot cinnamon; drier with tannins later on; mild oak staves
👉🏻 Finish: Increasingly dry; growing and lasting black pepper and hot cinnamon spice; mild tannins; mild dry oak and mild char late; mild lingering port sweetness; deep warmth. The combination of spice and dryness in the finish is a bit like hot cinnamon toothpicks.

Two Port Casks, One Subtle Influence – Yellowstone 2026 Limited Edition Bourbon Review

The nose of Yellowstone 2026 Limited Edition Bourbon has plenty of sweet dark fruits. However, I would not have guessed they were from a port finish. I assume that is due to the approximately 12-week finishing time and the combination of the two types of port casks used. Since each style of port contributes different notes—one brighter and the other deeper and darker—they apparently become less recognizable when combined than they would be individually. The only hint of the port finish is the subtle red-wine-soaked stave note that I get on the nose.

The port becomes most noticeable on the palate, evident from the second this whiskey hits my tongue. Honey and caramel provide additional sweetness. Interestingly, dryness and tannins develop later and continue into the finish, where they are joined by increasing hot cinnamon and black pepper spice. Toward the end, the finish is quite dry and spicy, with mild lingering port sweetness and hints of char.

A Complex Pour That Keeps Bourbon at the Forefront

Yellowstone 2026 Limited Edition Bourbon is a very enjoyable and complex pour. For those who are not fans of port-finished whiskeys, fear not. The finish is fairly mild and complements the base bourbons quite well. Those 7- and 14-year-old bourbon flavors are not at all masked. If you are a fan of classic bourbon flavors and enjoy a complex yet fairly mild port finish, then this is one you will want to try!

Have you tried the Yellowstone Limited Edition 2026? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

I hope you have enjoyed my Yellowstone 2026 Limited Edition Bourbon Review! Next, read these related articles: Yellowstone Small Batch 107 Bourbon – Press Release and Yellowstone Rum Cask Finished Bourbon Review.

Note: This sample was graciously provided by Yellowstone Bourbon for my review. I appreciate it!

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