Everything you need to know about Limestone Branch Distillery
Most popular bottles from the distillery
A brief History
Limestone Branch, Kentucky Region, USA. Founded in 2010.
Limestone Branch is a small Kentucky distillery with a very old family story behind it. It sits in Lebanon, Kentucky, and was founded in 2010 by brothers Stephen and Paul Beam — seventh-generation members of the Beam distilling family. Yes, that Beam family.
Rather than working inside one of the big bourbon machines, the brothers chose to build something smaller and more hands-on. Limestone Branch focuses on traditional methods, modest scale, and whiskies that feel personal rather than industrial.
The distillery is best known today for reviving Yellowstone Bourbon, a historic American brand that dates back to the late 1800s. Under Limestone Branch, Yellowstone has become a modern, premium bourbon range while still keeping its classic Kentucky roots.
This is not experimental craft bourbon chasing extremes. It’s heritage-led whiskey made carefully, with clear respect for tradition.
Taste Profile
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Sweet |
Spicy | Oaky / Woody |
Limestone Branch bourbons lean into classic Kentucky balance. Sweet corn and caramel come first, followed by vanilla from new charred oak. Rye in the mash bill adds gentle spice, keeping things lively rather than overly sweet.
The texture is smooth but not thin, with a warm, steady finish. These whiskies aren’t about shock value or extreme proof. They’re about drinkability and structure — bourbon you can actually sit with.
Top 4 Flavour Profile Ingredients
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Vanilla |
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Cinnamon / Clove |
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Oak / Wood Spice |
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Caramel / Toffee |
Most Popular Bottles
Yellowstone Select Bourbon
The flagship release. Smooth, sweet, lightly spiced, and very approachable.
Yellowstone Limited Editions
Annual releases with extra age and depth. Richer oak and layered sweetness.
Minor Case Rye
Spicier and drier than the bourbons, with pepper, vanilla, and oak.
Yellowstone Toasted / Special Finishes
Occasional cask-finished releases adding extra sweetness or spice.
Availability in the UK varies, but Yellowstone is the most commonly seen label.
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The Distillery
The Distiller: Limestone Branch Distillery
Address: 1280 Veterans Memorial Highway, Lebanon, KY 40033, United States
Visitor Centre & Opening Times
Yes — Limestone Branch operates a visitor centre and tasting room.
Typical opening hours
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Tuesday – Saturday
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Around 10:00 – 17:00
(Seasonal variations apply)
Tours are small-group and informal, focusing on family history and bourbon production.
Ownership History
Founders
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Stephen Beam
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Paul Beam
Current Ownership
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Limestone Branch Distillery (independent, Beam family–run)
While the Yellowstone brand is distributed through a larger spirits group, distillation and production remain closely tied to Limestone Branch.
Distillery Facts
Overview & History
Limestone Branch Distillery is located in Lebanon, Kentucky, and was founded in 2011 by brothers Steve and Paul Beam — seventh-generation members of the Beam distilling family. The distillery was created to revive historic family whiskey brands using small-scale production methods.
The most significant revival was Yellowstone Bourbon, a brand originally established in 1872. Limestone Branch began producing Yellowstone under licence, restoring it as a premium Kentucky bourbon label.
In 2018, Limestone Branch was acquired by Luxco, providing wider distribution while retaining the distillery’s craft-scale identity. Luxco itself was later acquired by MGP in 2021.
Production
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Mash Bills: Corn-forward bourbons with rye and malted barley; rye whiskey also produced
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Distillation: Traditional copper pot stills (unusual in modern Kentucky)
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Barrels: New, charred American oak
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Water Source: Limestone-filtered Kentucky water
Unlike most large Kentucky producers, Limestone Branch relies on pot still distillation, producing a heavier, oilier new-make spirit.
Whisky Style
Limestone Branch whiskeys tend to show:
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Rich mouthfeel
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Sweet corn and vanilla
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Caramel and honey
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Baking spice
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Rounded oak rather than sharp tannin
The style prioritises texture and balance over high proof intensity.
Key Expressions
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Yellowstone Select – Core bourbon expression
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Yellowstone Limited Edition – Annual premium releases
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Minor Case Rye – Straight rye whiskey
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Yellowstone Hand Picked – Single barrel programme
Yellowstone Limited Editions are particularly well regarded and have become a recurring annual release.
Significance
Limestone Branch bridges Kentucky heritage and modern craft distilling. Its Beam family lineage provides historical credibility, while its pot still approach differentiates it from column-still-dominated bourbon production.
The revival of Yellowstone Bourbon is one of the more successful heritage brand relaunches in modern American whiskey.
Limestone Branch Whisky to Buy
Carefully Packed
& Protected
Every bottle is securely packed to ensure it arrives safely.
Free UK Delivery
Over £99
Secure delivery across the UK. Excludes Highlands & Islands.
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