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    Home » Travel » Food Travel » Kentucky

    Limestone Branch Distillery (Lebanon, KY)

    Published: Apr 28, 2023 · Modified: Nov 15, 2024 · Leave a Comment

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    For a small-size craft bourbon experience with high-end tastings, visit Limestone Branch Distillery in central Kentucky.

    Sign for Limestone Branch Distillery with visitor center in background.

    Limestone Branch Distillery is on Kentucky's Bourbon Trail, and is one of the smaller entries on the list.

    We've enjoyed touring some of these small-size producers recently, including James E. Pepper, Whiskey Thief, Wilderness Trail, and Log Still. They often have a more personal feel, and it's fun to get off the beaten path a little bit.

    We love touring the bigger brands as well! If you're new to the distillery world, check out my guide to touring the Bourbon Trail, as well as a closer look at stops like Maker's Mark and Bardstown Bourbon Company.

    Now, let's focus on Limestone Branch! Here's what to expect if you tour.

    Booking a Spot

    As with all other distilleries these days, reserving a tour online is highly recommended.

    At Limestone Branch, there are two different tours available, as well as a tasting experience by itself.

    As of 2023, the basic tour costs $12. Plan for at least an hour. A guided tasting of bourbon, whiskey, and gin follows the tour.

    We opted for the Yellowstone Select Experience, which was $25. It included specialty tastings, a souvenir glass and a Limestone Distillery barrel bung (plug).

    Tickets for distillery production tour at Limestone Branch Distillery.
    Tour Tickets

    Exploring Limestone Branch

    This is a fairly small distillery location, with a visitor center, a small cocktail bar, and a gift shop.

    Sign for Limestone Branch Distillery visitor center next to sidewalk.
    Bourbon hot sauce, honey, maple syrup, and drink mix on shelves.
    Gift Shop Products

    We were early for our tour and tried one of the gin cocktails offered at Minor's Lounge Cocktail Bar.

    Menu board for cocktails and flights at Minor's Lounge.
    Minor's Lounge Cocktail Menu
    Plum Pretty gin cocktail.
    Plum Pretty Gin Cocktail

    Our tour started with a video and a brief history of the family that owns the distillery. They're part of the Beam family (related to Jim Beam).

    Photo display showing seven generations of family.
    Beam Family History

    Limestone Branch makes Yellowstone bourbon.

    We learned that the original owners heard that the (then newly formed) Yellowstone National Park was extremely popular, so they thought a bourbon named Yellowstone would be popular too.

    Bourbon rickhouse with "Yellowstone" painted on its side.

    A portion of the Yellowstone whiskey proceeds go to Yellowstone National Park. (Which, by the way, is a truly great destination, as we can personally attest!)

    Yellowstone was one of the bourbons prescribed medicinally during Prohibition. It was also the original mint julep bourbon! During the 1960's it was the most popular bourbon in the United States.

    Small copper still on display in visitor center.
    Visitor Center Display

    In the fermenting and distilling area, we got to taste the sour mash from two different containers – both the grain cooker and the fermenter.

    Large still for bourbon making.
    Mash Cooker

    Want to learn more about the bourbon-making process? We recommend the book Bourbon Curious by Fred Minnick.

    Mash fermenting vats.
    Fermenting Vats

    We saw examples of the different stages of unaged distilled liquor.

    Small bottles of 70 proof, 140 proof, and 160 proof distillate.
    Unaged Distillate

    We also got a look at the gin distilling still. Bowling & Burch is their line of botanical gin.

    Bottles of Bowling + Burch Gin.
    Bowling + Burch Gin

    Limestone Branch's barrels and rickhouses are all at their partner facility near Bardstown, Lux Row.

    On our tour, we also briefly met Corky – the distillery cat. He was sleeping, and I guess we weren't exciting enough to wake up for. But still – a cat!

    Cat asleep in cat bed in bourbon barrel with the side cut out.
    Corky the Cat

    In the Tasting Room

    Our tasting featured five samples and two chocolates. (We love the chocolate and bourbon pairing trend. Angel's Envy in Louisville does something similar.)

    Flight of bourbon samples at Limestone Branch Distillery.
    Flight of Bourbon Samples

    We tried the standard house Yellowstone bourbon, a 6-year bourbon only sold at the gift shop, two single-barrel employee picks, and a higher-end limited-run bourbon.

    Of course the priciest one was my favorite.

    Bottles of Yellowstone brand bourbon.
    Yellowstone Bourbon

    After we finished here, we headed to a delicious meal at the nearby Rosewood Bar & Grill.

    This was a fun distillery for high-end tastings! Have you visited yet? Let us know in the comments.

    Decorative bourbon barrels labeled "Yellowstone," "Minor Case," and "Limestone Branch Distillery."

    More Kentucky Food + Drink Destinations

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      Red River Rockhouse (Campton, KY)
    • Restaurant entrance and sign for Mr Brews Taphouse.
      Mr Brews Taphouse (Lexington, KY)
    • Entrance to Corto Lima, a grey painted building with black awning.
      Corto Lima (Lexington, KY)
    • Indoor dining area with Mirror Twin Brewing Co. stenciled on the wall in decorative script.
      Mirror Twin Brewing (Lexington, KY)

    About Sarah Trenalone

    Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. She's a photographer, food writer and traveler, and is certified in Backcountry Kitchen and Backcountry Navigation from the Colorado Outward Bound School and Identifying Wild Plants from Backpacker.

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    Hi, I'm Sarah! I'm a traveler who loves to eat.   Follow along to join me on my next adventure-- in food or on the road.

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