Limestone Branch Distillery in Lebanon, Kentucky, has opened the Stephen B. Beam Tasting Lodge, a new 1,250 square-foot tasting space dedicated to its expanded barrel program. The lodge is named after Limestone Branch Distillery’s founder and pays homage to his love of Yellowstone National Park. The new building will accommodate customers selecting barrel picks of Yellowstone Bourbon Hand Picked, Yellowstone American Single Malt Whiskey and Minor Case Rye 6-Year.
“It’s humbling and exciting to have the Tasting Lodge named in my honor because it’s an expansion of our dream to bring our family recipes and traditions to customers in small batches since opening Limestone Branch Distillery more than 10 years ago,” said Limestone Branch Distillery Master Distiller Stephen Beam. “And for the first time, we’re able to offer Yellowstone American Single Malt Whiskey and Minor Case Rye barrel selections for customers to taste and choose from in addition to our Yellowstone Bourbon Hand Picked Kentucky Straight Bourbon.”
Kentucky’s bourbon industry topped records in 2023 with 2.5 million visitor experiences, according to the Bourbon Economic Impact Report published in February by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. As one of the state’s craft distilleries, Limestone Branch designed its Tasting Lodge as a private yet comfortable setting to accommodate up to 20 guests at a time in a dedicated, stand-alone building overlooking the natural beauty of the property. The distillery will offer VIP opportunities for cocktail mixology classes, premium tastings and private events in addition to the one-of-a-kind exclusive barrel pick program experiences for consumer and retail customers.
“As we continue to expand our barrel program to include more unique and sought-after selections, we wanted to create a dedicated space for customers to fully experience these offerings,” said Luxco Barrel Program Manager Casey Shirley. “The addition of the private Tasting Lodge provides the ideal location for customers to get to know our award-winning brands a little better and sample and select the perfect barrel.”
For customers who are not able to visit Kentucky, they have the option of receiving mailed selection kits of the distillery’s barrel offerings. These kits contain sample selections hand-picked by the Limestone Branch team, branded glassware, a tasting notebook and a step-by-step tasting video led by Limestone Branch Distillery Executive Bourbon Steward Stephen Fante with in-depth information about the specific offerings.
About the 2024 Yellowstone Bourbon Hand Picked selections
Available at the distillery or via a mailed selection kit, the Yellowstone Hand Picked Collection is a series of Kentucky Straight Bourbon single barrels aged for a minimum of 4 years. Customers can choose among three proof options (109, 115 and 119). Each barrel yields approximately 30 6-in cases of 750mL bottles, with a suggested retail price of $59.99, and comes with custom bottle labels that include the account name, barrel number and fill date.
About the 2024 Yellowstone American Single Malt Hand Picked selections
The Yellowstone Hand Picked Collection is a series of American Single Malt Whiskey single barrels aged a minimum of 4 years. Customers can select among three proof options (106, 110 and 116). Each barrel yields approximately 30 6-in cases of 750mL bottles, with a suggested retail price of $69.99, and comes with custom bottle labels that include the account name, barrel number and fill date.
About the 2024 Minor Case 6-Year Single Barrel selections
The Minor Case Single Barrel is a series of hand-picked 6-year-old straight rye single barrels. With each barrel comes its own complexities and one-of-a-kind flavors. The mash bill is 51% rye, 45% corn and 4% barley, and customers can choose among three unique proof points (105, 110 and 115). Each single barrel of Minor Case 6-Year Straight Rye Whiskey yields approximately 30 6-in cases of 750mL bottles, with a suggested retail price of $59.99.
Customers and retail accounts interested in participating in the 2024 Limestone Distillery Barrel Program – either by ordering a sample kit or by making a visit to the distillery and the new Tasting Lodge – can visit LimestoneBranch.com to learn more.
Terry Bunch
