Category: Lifestyle

What Is Finishing in Bourbon and How It Affects Flavor

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Many people don’t know this, but 90% of the flavor found in Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey comes from the barrel it’s stored in. The aging process in new charred oak barrels adds layers of vanilla, caramel, and oak flavors.

As it sits in the barrel, the whiskey expands and soaks into the wood staves. This happens repeatedly, imparting the different natural flavors and making bourbon the complex spirit it is known to be.

What is Finishing in Bourbon?

For most bourbon, this first barrel is where the complexity ends. However, if a master distiller wants to add even more complexity and other flavors, they can put that bourbon into another barrel.

This is called finishing or double finishing.

Finishing is a technique used to enhance and refine the flavor of bourbon by transferring it into different barrels for additional aging after the primary aging process. The barrels used for finishing often previously held other spirits or wines, which can significantly alter the bourbon’s flavor profile.

Bourbon’s primary aging process must occur in new, charred oak barrels (it’s the law). However, once this initial aging is complete, the bourbon can be transferred to barrels that previously housed sherry, port, rum, or even wine.

This practice is not just about adding new flavors; it’s about creating a balance and adding nuance. The choice of barrel and the duration of the finishing process are critical factors that can dramatically change the final product.

Types of Barrels Used in Bourbon Finishing

The barrels used in the finishing process come in various forms, each contributing unique characteristics to the bourbon. The choice of barrel can reflect the distiller’s creativity and intent.

Sherry Casks

Sherry casks are among the most popular types used for finishing bourbon. These casks add rich, fruity, and nutty flavors, often giving the bourbon a slightly sweeter and more complex profile.

Oak Barrels

Finishing bourbon in oak barrels infuses the spirit with additional layers of flavor, such as hints of vanilla, caramel, and spice, as the wood imparts its unique characteristics. This aging process also enhances the bourbon’s complexity and smoothness, making it richer and more nuanced.

Yellowstone Bourbon Special Finishes Collection Toasted uses toasted oak staves in its process. On the palate, this adds walnut, toffee, black tea, and white pepper to the profile.

Rum Barrels

Rum barrels can impart tropical fruit notes, spice, and a hint of sweetness, making the bourbon more approachable and adding a unique twist to its flavor profile.

Yellowstone Bourbon Special Finishes Collection Rum Cask provides notes of toasted marshmallow, creme brûlée, toffee, and toasted oak.

Cognac Barrels

Finishing bourbon in cognac barrels provides the spirit with a rich and complex flavor profile. The process infuses the bourbon with notes of dried fruit, spice, and a subtle sweetness from the cognac, enhancing its depth and adding a luxurious, velvety finish.

Brandy Barrels

Finishing bourbon in brandy barrels adds a distinctive and nuanced flavor to the spirit. The process introduces hints of caramel, dried fruit, and a delicate sweetness from the brandy, enriching the bourbon’s complexity. This method results in a smooth and well-rounded finish, appealing to those who appreciate a harmonious blend of flavors.

Wine Barrels

Wine barrels, particularly those that held red wine, can add tannins, fruitiness, and a touch of acidity. These barrels are less common but offer a distinctive character to the finished bourbon.

Port Casks

Port casks contribute deep, dark fruit flavors and a silky texture. They can enhance the richness of the bourbon, adding layers of complexity that appeal to seasoned connoisseurs.

There really is no limit on the types of barrels distillers can use to introduce new flavor notes into their spirits.

The Impact of Finishing on Flavor, Aroma, and Complexity

Finishing can profoundly impact the flavor, aroma, and complexity of bourbon. Each type of barrel brings its own set of characteristics, transforming the spirit in subtle or sometimes dramatic ways.

Flavor

The additional aging in different barrels infuses the bourbon with new flavors. For example, when finished in a sherry cask, it might take on notes of dried fruit and nuts, while one finished in a rum barrel might exhibit hints of molasses and tropical fruits.

Aroma

The aroma (or nose) of the bourbon also evolves during the finishing process. The secondary barrels can introduce complex scents like dark chocolate, spice, and berries, enhancing the overall olfactory experience.

Complexity

Complexity is perhaps the most significant benefit of finishing. The layers of flavors and aromas resulting from the finishing process create a more intricate and rewarding tasting experience. Each sip reveals new dimensions, making the bourbon more enjoyable to savor.

And, over time, this complexity changes as the bourbon “opens up” or oxygen is introduced to the bottle.

Tips to Appreciate and Identify Finishing in Bourbons

Learning to appreciate and identify the finishing in bourbons can enhance your tasting experience. It can also help you find more finished bourbons to enjoy whether you drink it neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail.

Here are some tips to help you get started:

Look at the Label

Many distilleries mention the type of finishing on the label. Look for terms like “sherry cask finish” or “port cask finish” to get an idea of what to expect.

Take Your Time

Savor the bourbon slowly. Pay attention to the initial flavors, the mid-palate complexity, and the finish. Notice any new or unusual notes that might indicate the influence of the finishing barrel.

Compare and Contrast

Try tasting a finished bourbon alongside a standard expression from the same distillery. For instance, you might try a Yellowstone Select Bourbon before trying the Yellowstone Toasted Bourbon.

Recognizing the similarities and differences will help you build your palate and refine your bourbon senses.

The Future of Bourbon Finishing and Emerging Trends

The world of bourbon finishing is continually evolving, with new trends and techniques emerging. Here’s a look at what the future might hold:

Innovative Barrels

Distilleries are exploring innovative barrels, such as those that held exotic spirits or wines. These experiments push the boundaries of traditional bourbon flavors and create unique expressions.

Sustainable Practices

Sustainability is becoming a significant focus. Many distilleries are sourcing barrels from eco-friendly cooperages and using sustainable practices in their production processes.

Limited Editions

Limited edition finished bourbons are gaining popularity. These exclusive releases often feature unique barrel combinations and are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts.

Yellowstone Limited Edition is our annual release. Each year, we take multiple bourbons and double-finish them in a unique cask.

In 2023, the release featured a delicately balanced blend of 7-year, 13-year, and 16-year-old bourbons, finished in Tokaji casks. Tokaji is a traditional sweet wine from Northern Hungary and is made exclusively from white wine grapes.

Finishing in these casks created a final product that featured dry spice followed by caramel, dark cherry, citrus, and white pepper.

The 2024 Yellowstone Limited Edition Bourbon blends 7-year-old and 17-year-old bourbons, each aged in Cognac and Brandy casks.

Finishing (and double finishing) in these barrels offers hints of vanilla and dark cherry, a subtle oakiness and chocolate, and provides a nose of fruit and toffee.

Learn more about the 2024 Yellowstone Limited Edition release.

Find Yellowstone Bourbon Near You

Whether you’re a bourbon beginner or a seasoned enthusiast, exploring finished bourbons can be a rewarding experience—the variety of barrels and techniques used in finishing offers endless possibilities for discovering new and exciting flavors.

The best way, of course, is to try them for yourself. Find Yellowstone Bourbon near you!

How to Make the Best Old Fashioneds to Celebrate National Bourbon Day

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Every June 14th, we celebrate National Bourbon Day. It’s a day when we get to look back at the history of America’s “native” spirit and take a moment to really appreciate what’s in our glass.

In this article, we discuss the origin of the day while providing a bit of Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey history. We’ll also provide you with a few of our favorite old-fashioned cocktail recipes so that you can enjoy the day in the best way possible.

The History of National Bourbon Day

Bourbon’s origins trace back to the westward migration of settlers from the original colonies during the 18th and 19th centuries. These settlers included Scots-Irish descendants, whose ancestors had invented Scotch and Irish whiskies, as well as English, Welsh, German, and French settlers.

From there, multiple whiskey families emerged to shape the entire history of whiskey and bourbon. Two of those families that have direct ties to Limestone Branch Distillery are the Beams and the Dants.

Stephen Beam opened Limestone Branch Distillery in 2011 with the goal of crafting the finest spirits in small batches. He is a seventh-generation distiller with a history of distilling on both sides of his family—Beam (on his father’s side) and Dant (on his mother’s side).

Jacob Beam, Stephen’s great-great-uncle, was a farmer who sold his first barrels of corn whiskey, called Old Jake Beam around 1795.

Seven generations later, that tradition continues with Limestone Branch Distillery and Yellowstone Bourbon.

National Bourbon Day is a great way to honor that tradition. Every year it’s celebrated on June 14th, which is said to be the anniversary of the day bourbon was first distilled in 1789.

How to Celebrate National Bourbon Day

Much like drinking your bourbon and whiskey, you can do it however you want. For us, we like to gather with friends and family, maybe walk around Limestone Branch Distillery, remember those who came before us, and, of course, have a wonderful drink in hand while we do it.

The Old Fashioned Cocktail

The exact origins of the Old Fashioned are debated, but the prevailing story is that this iconic drink began being served in the early 1800s. Its name emerged in the mid-1800s as a reaction to the increasingly complex cocktails of the time, which included ingredients like Chartreuse, Absinthe, and Curacao. Traditionalists began asking for a cocktail made in the old-fashioned style—simple and straightforward with just spirit, sugar, water, and bitters.

Prohibition brought significant changes to the cocktail scene, particularly with the quality of available spirits, which were often harsh due to illegal production methods. To mask these rough edges, bartenders started adding fruit to the Old Fashioned. In the Midwest, muddled orange and cherry became common additions.

After Prohibition ended, the quality of spirits improved, allowing the Old Fashioned to return to its roots of showcasing good quality Bourbon or Rye. Interestingly, whiskey was not always the default spirit for an Old Fashioned. When first referenced in the early 1800s, the Old Fashioned was not tied to a specific spirit but was a style of cocktail where the base spirit could be whiskey, gin, or even mezcal.

Many became familiar with the old-fashioned thanks to it being the drink of choice of Don Draper in the popular series, Mad Men.

Many bartenders now view the Old Fashioned as a basic formula that can be adapted to create endless variations. This adaptability is part of what makes it an enduring favorite.

The Perfect Old Fashioned with Yellowstone Bourbon

Yellowstone Bourbon, distinguished by its rich palate and Kentucky heritage, is the ideal foundation for crafting the perfect Old Fashioned. Here’s how to bring this beloved classic to life:

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Place the sugar cube in an Old Fashioned glass and saturate it with bitters. Add a dash of plain water.
  2. Muddle the sugar until dissolved.
  3. Fill the glass with ice cubes and add Yellowstone Bourbon.
  4. Stir well until the beverage is properly chilled.
  5. Garnish with an orange peel and a cherry.

If you want to try something different, mix up one of the following instead.

Smoked Maple Old Fashioned

Add a twist of autumn warmth to your glass.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Yellowstone Bourbon Toasted
  • 1/2 oz maple syrup
  • A few dashes of Angostura bitters
  • Ice
  • Smoke – either with a smoking gun or use an oak or maple wood chip
  • Orange peel for garnish

Instructions:

Repeat the steps of the classic Old Fashioned, substituting sugar with maple syrup and adding smoke to your glass for extra complexity.

Spiced Orange Old Fashioned

Infuse your drink with the zest of citrus and spice.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Yellowstone Bourbon Rum Cask
  • 1 sugar cube soaked in Angostura orange bitters
  • Splash of club soda
  • Ice cubes
  • Thinly sliced orange peel and a cinnamon stick for garnish

Instructions:

Follow the original procedure, introducing the soaked sugar cube and Angostura orange bitters for a spicy, citrusy undertone.

Conclusion

Celebrating National Bourbon Day with Yellowstone Bourbon invites you into a world of tradition enriched with modern twists. Whether you lean towards the classic Old Fashioned or venture into newer variations, each sip is a toast to the enduring legacy of bourbon.

Find Yellowstone Bourbon near you.

And if you really want to spend the day in the best way possible, join us at Limestone Branch Distillery to learn more about America’s favorite spirit.

tents and hammock in woods

Your Essential Camping Gear Checklist

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Paring camping gear down to the basics is no simple task. There are many ways to enjoy a night in the great outdoors, from a one-night sleep-out to serious backpacking to glamping in luxury.

Some essentials are in order if you’re heading out for your first such trip. Let’s assume there are at least two of you. You’re not looking to tackle sub-zero temperatures in your opening venture, and while not quite willing to break the bank, you want some good and dependable new gear.

Tenting Tonight

Since you’re turning the outdoors into your home, what about the house? There are only about a trillion kinds of tents to choose from, but we’d suggest the Coleman Sundome Dark Room tent for a reliable and reasonably-priced starter. It’s easy to set up and good by day, too, for blocking the sun’s heat.

The Bedroom

Your highest budget item should probably be for your sleeping bag because, well, sleep—and warmth if it does get a little colder than you’d expected. The Kelty Cosmic Down 20 will keep you toasty and rested at under $200. Add a NEMO Switchback Sleeping Pad for comfort, and think seriously about a Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow for the same reason.

Let There Be Light

Compact and under $30, the Ultimate Survival Technologies Spright Solar USB LED Lantern should keep things bright around the campsite. But we’re also partial to the lighted gloves, in various styles, from Mangata. While created with runners in mind, the gloves are great for directing light to whatever camping task is, well, at hand.

The Larder

Make sure you’ll be a regular before investing in a good camp stove. But start with a Biolite Kettlepot, which will serve for meals or coffee and will work well when you think about upgrading with Biolite’s stove or portable grill.

Goes Without Saying

The more you camp, the more you learn about what is essential for your next trip. But be sure to pack some matches (or wind-resistant cigar lighters), toiletries, and some rudimentary first-aid items. The Houmass 29-in-1 Tool Bracelet is an easy way to tote around some basic tools.

Have a Seat

It may not be essential, but a good camp chair will also serve you well at your next music and bourbon festival. The Kickback Rocker from GCI Outdoor lives up to its name.

Reward Time

When the day’s activities are winding down around the campfire, it’s time to break out the Yellowstone Select, which we assume was the first item on your packing list! Sip and savor the wilderness around you and start planning your next outdoor adventure.

Visiting Yellowstone National Park During the Summer? Here’s What to Do and What You Need to Know

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Yellowstone isn’t just some name we threw on a label – it’s a name we selected long ago to honor the wonder and spirit of Yellowstone National Park.

Yellowstone Select Bourbon was first introduced in 1872, the same year President Ulysses S. Grant signed the Yellowstone National Park Protection law. The bourbon was specifically created to honor the park’s beautiful landscapes, vast wilderness, and the pioneering spirit of those who first explored its interior. We like to think those hardy individuals would have loved sitting back with a glass of Yellowstone Select Bourbon while spinning yarns about their escapades across the park.

Of course, now, Yellowstone National Park is a little more visitor-friendly than it was back in the 1870s — but that doesn’t mean that a glass of Yellowstone Select Bourbon won’t still pair perfectly with a visit to the park (though be sure to do so safely; save that cocktail for when you’re back at the lodge or ranch).

If you’re heading to Yellowstone National Park this summer, here’s what you need to know and how to experience the rugged, historical aspects of this great spot on the map.

See the Top Sights

It’s no secret that Yellowstone can get crowded, and it’s no wonder why. If you’ve never visited Yellowstone National Park before, you’ll want to see the same sights that draw in millions of tourists annually. The top spots within the park include Old Faithful, the Grand Prismatic Spring, and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. All these will deliver breathtaking views you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

These spots are great, and you should 100% check them out. However, everyone knows about these, and you can find information about them just about anywhere.

So, let’s discuss some other places worth exploring.

The Lesser-Known Areas

To get in some quieter views, visit some of the less-crowded spots in the park if you’ve got the time. With 2 million acres, the park does have them, despite what you might think when you first visit Old Faithful. You may have to strap on your hiking boots and channel your inner sense of adventure to reach them, but the effort will be well worth it.

Try a hike out to Shoshone Geyser Basin. Or, go wildlife watching in the remote Lamar Valley, sometimes called the Serengeti of North America; keep your eyes peeled for bison, elk, bear, wolves, and other animals that call the park home.

Did you pack your swimsuit? Then take a dip in Boiling River, one of the few places where you can legally swim in the park.

Take a Professional Park Tour

The official nonprofit partner of Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone Forever, offers a range of programming to experience the park beyond what you can plan on your own. The organization’s private tours cover everything you need — delicious breakfast and lunch in the field, transportation services, equipment like high-powered scopes and binoculars, and more.

Your private tour is planned around what you want to experience most during your visit, whether that be wildlife watching and photography, backcountry hiking, or any other adventure the park offers.

Stay Longer or Come Back Soon

Don’t just stop by the park for a single day and then go on your way. Spending a night (or a few!) in the park will allow you to enjoy the park’s attractions more leisurely. You can’t beat a stay at the Old Faithful Inn, built in the early 1900s and one of the largest log structures in the world.

If you can’t stay, come back and explore more of the park.

Can’t Get Away?

There are still ways for you to support our national park system from afar — like when you add the Yellowstone family of spirits to your bar cart. Yellowstone Bourbon is a proud supporter of and one of the largest annual corporate donors to the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), which independently works to strengthen and protect our park systems.

This year alone, we’ve donated $250,000 to the NPCA to aid in the organization’s tireless work.

Whether you’re actively planning your exploratory excursion to Yellowstone National Park this season or have added it to your travel bucket list, when you sip a glass of Yellowstone Select Bourbon, it’s almost as good as being there.

Find Yellowstone Bourbon near you, or visit Limestone Branch Distillery for a tour!