Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished in Amarone Casks (2021 Limited Edition)

Last year's version of this bottle was nice, but I am not sure it lived up to the price point. The ages and finishing on the 2021 was more intriguing so I decided to take a chance on it. I can say that if it falls flat it will likely be the last of the yearly offerings I pick ip from them. Nose is a nice start. Lovely hints of brown sugar mingling with red berries. Here's hoping the sip is as nice... First sip is interesting in a word. There are some light caramel and honey notes on the front end followed what to me comes off as a dried apricot finish. Some wine finishes leave a raisiny taste, this is definitely not that, but the dried fruit is definitely prominent and apricot is what I am getting. There is also a bit of an alcohol burn that joins the party on the back end, but nothing particularly harsh or memorable to it. I am going to say I like this. It is different and purists should just walk on by. I will need to try this later against the 2020 bottle as I think this one has a little more going on. However, like the 2020 bottle I would be much happier at atound $70 for this one. If you like different finishes and how they can morp whiskey this is a nice departure. If you are on a tight budget this one probably isn't worth the splurge.

Cherry and raspberry compote, cinnamon, allspice, honey roasted peanuts, and caramel on the nose. After a few minutes the fruit had changed to more of a grape jelly instead of the cooked fruit notes I got at the onset. A bit of ethanol lingers but it doesn’t hold it back. Lots of pretty red fruit from the start with tannic red grape, raspberry, and tart cherry. It doesn’t get too tannic or tart though because caramel, molasses, vanilla, and allspice keep the sweetness high. This is not heavy but I love the mouthfeel and finish. It’s minty with both honey and chocolate Teddy Grahams. Loved it Really enjoyed this. The finish really worked for me as well as the 7 and 15 year blend. Amarone as a wine has more characteristics of dried fruit instead of the jelly like notes picked up here. That’s a beautiful job of blending by Yellowstone and the Beams. Price is a deterrent, but I don’t regret the purchase. I would not buy another bottle however.

Nose - Fruit forward nose, vanilla and light oak follow into caramel and cocoa Flavors - Cocoa and dried fruit to the front, oak into rich caramel and vanilla Sweetness - 6.5 / 10 A very dessert like bourbon Dryness - 3 / 10 This has a very velvety and decadent mouth feel, great coating on the palate and very smooth Burn - 6.5 / 10 It punches above its proof for sure with a nice warm chest. Bud’s rating - 7.75 / 10 It’s a really great lower proof bourbon for me I really enjoy the uniqueness. With the 7 year bourbon being aged in the Amarone casks it brings a unique depth of flavor, some fruity qualities to the sweet caramel and vanilla flavors with a hint of cocoa and oak. It’s a really strong bourbon with some heat above it’s proof and overall it’s a great sip! Glad I got a backup!

Nose: smells gooood. Very fruity and classic bourbon. Tons of honey too Palate: interesting. Really weird funky taste to it. Not a normal finished bourbon taste. Like a sour grapey flavor to it. Very rich like a finished bourbon typically is though. Finish: kinda short and left with just spice. Like really really short. Unimpressed Overall: not sure if I can get past that funk. Never had this flavor in a bourbon ever. Short finish too. Definitely not worth the price. Probably gonna be my first and last ever Yellowstone purchase

Nose: toffee, Carmel, vanilla Palate: light brown sugar, or maple sugar Finish: peppery spice. Silky wine fruit finish Fantastic pour. At 129 dollars it should be this good. I highly recommend it. If you looking for a similar dram try rabbithole “derringer” it has a lessor nose than this yellowstone but is very close in all other area. And surpasses in flavor profile IMO. It’s better still at 85 dollars than 129 dollars. Had I the choice I’d go with the RH

2021 is a very good effort from Yellowstone. Amarone is apparent on the nose with some lemon, apricot and tea notes as well. Light on the palate with a clean finish that borders between sweet vanilla and citrus mint, but still carries a nice spice.