Yellowstone Recollection Bourbon: 110-Proof Heritage

Yellowstone Bourbon is bringing back a piece of distilling history with Recollection Bourbon, an eight-year expression that pays tribute to the ornate back bar decanters that once lined saloon shelves across America in the late 1800s. Bottled at 110 proof and non-chill filtered, this release from seventh-generation Master Distiller Stephen Beam takes what was originally a distillery-only exclusive and makes it available nationwide for $69.99. The bourbon itself delivers classic Kentucky character, but it's the presentation—an ornate decanter featuring the iconic Yellowstone Lower Falls—that connects today's bourbon enthusiast directly to the brand's roots as the "Greatest American Whiskey."

The Barrel Details and What's Inside

When you're talking about Recollection, you're talking about bourbon that spent eight years in the barrel before being pulled at 110 proof. Stephen Beam and his team at Limestone Branch Distillery chose to keep this one non-chill filtered, which means more of those barrel-extracted oils and flavor compounds make it into the bottle. The result is a bolder, fuller mouthfeel that carries the weight you'd expect from a proof this substantial. The 700ml decanter format is a nod to the brand's history—those hand-painted bottles that sat behind bars more than a century ago featured similar embossing and artwork celebrating Yellowstone National Park. This isn't just packaging theater; it's a direct visual link to how bourbon was presented when Joseph Bernard Dant first named the whiskey after America's first national park back in 1872. Available starting this month at select retailers nationwide, Recollection represents Limestone Branch's broader effort to honor the craftsmanship and visual identity that made Yellowstone a household name in the golden age of American whiskey.

Why This Release Matters for Bourbon Collectors

Recollection sits at an interesting intersection of accessible pricing and premium presentation. At just under seventy dollars, it's positioned as a special-occasion bourbon rather than an everyday pour, but it's not priced into the stratospheric secondary-market territory that's become all too common. The eight-year age statement gives you transparency—you know exactly how long this liquid sat in the warehouse—and the 110-proof bottling strength means you're getting bourbon with enough backbone to stand up in a cocktail or hold your attention neat. For collectors, the decanter design is the real draw. Yellowstone has been reviving its heritage under Stephen Beam's leadership since he brought the brand to Limestone Branch in 2015, and Recollection is the most visually ambitious expression of that mission yet. This isn't a limited edition in the traditional sense, but it's clearly intended as a collector's piece that bridges the gap between everyday bourbon and shelf-worthy display bottles. It's the kind of release that reminds you bourbon wasn't always about hype drops and lottery systems—it was about craftsmanship, regional pride, and a bottle design that told a story before you ever pulled the cork.

What You'll Taste in the Glass

• Nose: Vanilla crème brûlée leads, backed by dark cherry and the unmistakable sweetness of well-aged Kentucky bourbon. There's richness here that suggests quality barrel selection.
• Palate: Caramel and butterscotch take center stage, with charred oak coming through mid-palate. The 110 proof carries the flavors without overwhelming them—this is balanced heat, not raw ethanol.
• Finish: Grain notes emerge alongside mocha, with Yellowstone's signature cherry character showing up again. Sweet cinnamon candy and warm baking spice linger, giving you a finish that invites the next sip.

Frequently Asked Questions

What proof is Yellowstone Recollection Bourbon?

Yellowstone Recollection Bourbon is bottled at 110 proof, which translates to 55% alcohol by volume. This higher proof point delivers a bolder flavor profile and fuller mouthfeel compared to standard 80 or 90 proof bourbons. The whiskey is also non-chill filtered, meaning those natural oils and congeners that contribute to texture and complexity remain in the bottle. At 110 proof, Recollection has enough strength to stand up to a few drops of water or a large ice cube if you prefer to open up the flavors, but it's smooth enough to sip neat if that's your preference.

How old is Yellowstone Recollection Bourbon?

Recollection Bourbon is aged eight years before bottling. That eight-year maturation period in charred oak barrels allows the spirit to develop the deep caramel, vanilla, and oak characteristics that define well-aged Kentucky bourbon. The age statement is printed on the bottle, giving you full transparency about how long the whiskey spent in the warehouse. Eight years is a sweet spot for bourbon—long enough to pull serious flavor from the wood without tipping into over-oaked territory, especially at the 110-proof bottling strength that preserves the intensity of those barrel-derived flavors.

Where can I buy Yellowstone Recollection Bourbon?

Yellowstone Recollection Bourbon is available at select retailers nationwide starting in February 2026, with a suggested retail price of $69.99 for the 700ml decanter bottle. Originally offered only as a Limestone Branch Distillery exclusive, this is the first time Recollection has been distributed more broadly across the country. Availability will vary by state and market, so check with your local bourbon retailers or specialty spirits shops. You can also visit yellowstonebourbon.com for more information on where to find Yellowstone expressions in your area, or follow the brand on social media for retailer announcements and release updates.

Who makes Yellowstone Recollection Bourbon?

Yellowstone Recollection is crafted by Stephen Beam, the seventh-generation Master Distiller at Limestone Branch Distillery in Lebanon, Kentucky. Stephen is a descendant of both the historic Dant and Beam distilling families, and he revived the Yellowstone brand in 2015 after founding Limestone Branch in 2011. The Yellowstone name itself dates back to 1872, when distiller Joseph Bernard Dant named his bourbon after America's first national park. Today, Limestone Branch operates as part of Luxco, the branded spirits division of MGP Ingredients, but the distillery maintains its focus on small-batch, craft-focused bourbon production with deep ties to Kentucky's distilling heritage.

What makes the Recollection bottle design special?

The Recollection decanter is inspired by Yellowstone's historic back bar bottles from the late 1800s, which were hand-painted and featured ornate embossing. This modern version showcases the iconic Yellowstone Lower Falls and classic design elements that connected the bourbon to the national park's natural beauty. Back in the saloon era, these decorative bottles served both as functional containers and as marketing pieces—displayed prominently behind the bar to catch a customer's eye. The Recollection design brings that tradition into the present, offering bourbon enthusiasts a collectible presentation that honors the brand's visual heritage while delivering a contemporary, well-aged whiskey inside. It's a reminder that bourbon packaging used to tell stories, not just occupy shelf space.