Limestone Branch Distillery
Limestone Branch Distillery, founded 2011 in Lebanon, Kentucky by seventh-generation distiller Stephen Beam, is a craft spirits producer manufacturing Yellowstone bourbon, Minor Case rye whiskey, and Bowling & Burch gin for wholesale retail, on-site tours, and direct-to-consumer sales through its parent Luxco Inc.'s national distribution network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersLebanon, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Limestone Branch Distillery does
Limestone Branch Distillery is a craft spirits producer founded in 2011 in Lebanon, Kentucky, by seventh-generation distiller Stephen Beam (with brother Paul Beam). The company manufactures and sells bourbon, rye whiskey, and gin under three core brands: Yellowstone Bourbon (flagship, tracing its heritage to 1872 and reintroduced to the Beam family in 2015), Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey, and Bowling & Burch Gin. Distillation relies on traditional methods including an open-cook approach at temperatures exceeding 200°F, vapor infusion of botanicals for gin production, and proprietary yeast strains cloned from a yeast jug originally belonging to Minor Case Beam. Premium expressions and annual limited editions — including cask-finished bourbons (Armagnac, Amarone, Marsala Superiore), the Yellowstone Family Recipe, the Landmark Edition bottle series, and Yellowstone American Single Malt Whiskey (launched February 2023) — extend the product ladder to $99.99 SRP at the top.
Revenue is generated through wholesale distribution of bottled spirits (primarily via parent company Luxco Inc.'s national network to wine and spirits retailers nationwide), direct-to-consumer sales at the on-site distillery retail shop, ticket sales for tours and educational tastings, transactions at Minor's Lounge craft cocktail bar operated by master mixologist Derrick Mattingly, and branded merchandise. Spirit prices range from $39.99 (Yellowstone Select) through $99.99 (Limited Edition). The distillery serves craft spirits enthusiasts, gift/collector buyers, Kentucky Bourbon Trail tourists, and national-park-themed consumers, with a marketing narrative anchored by a multi-year partnership with the National Parks Conservation Association that contributes $1 per Yellowstone Select bottle sold (~$210,000 cumulative). Customers include individual consumers and SMB retail accounts; production runs 24/7 in two shifts under a small team (5-10 staff in production plus Luxco-provided operational, marketing, and distribution support).
Limestone Branch Distillery firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Limestone Branch Distillery
- Legal name
- Limestone Branch Distillery
- Website
- https://limestonebranch.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Limestone Branch Distillery, founded 2011 in Lebanon, Kentucky by seventh-generation distiller Stephen Beam, is a craft spirits producer manufacturing Yellowstone bourbon, Minor Case rye whiskey, and Bowling & Burch gin for wholesale retail, on-site tours, and direct-to-consumer sales through its parent Luxco Inc.'s national distribution network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Limestone Branch Distillery industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Craft Distilled Spirits
- NAICS
- Distilleries (312140)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Distilleries (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Spirits/Cocktail Bars Operated by Producers (THAFALAJ), Spirits Distillery Tours & Tastings (Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Vodka) (THAJAGAF), Liquor Stores (Off-Premise Spirits Retail) (CRANABAA)
Keywords
Where Limestone Branch Distillery is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lebanon
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Limestone Branch Distillery business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Spirits Product Sales: Direct and wholesale sales of bourbon, rye whiskey, and gin products. Core products include Yellowstone Select, Yellowstone Limited Edition, Yellowstone Family Recipe, Yellowstone American Single Malt, Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey, and Bowling & Burch Gin.
- Distillery Tours and Tastings: Ticket sales for guided distillery tours (Yellowstone Select Experience, Limestone Branch Distillery Tour) and educational tasting experiences. Tours offered daily with varying durations and price points.
- Minor's Lounge Craft Cocktail Bar: On-site cocktail bar serving handcrafted cocktails, flights, and pours from the award-winning spirits portfolio. Operated by master mixologist Derrick Mattingly.
- Retail Merchandise: Branded merchandise including glassware, shakers, apparel, and exclusive distillery-only products sold at the gift shop.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Yellowstone Select Tour Experience |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Limestone Branch Distillery Tour |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Educational Tasting Only |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Yellowstone Select Bourbon |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Yellowstone Select Landmark Edition |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Yellowstone Family Recipe Bourbon |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 2022 Yellowstone Limited Edition |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Limestone Branch Distillery product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Limestone Branch Distillery is a craft distillery that produces and sells small-batch bourbon, rye whiskey, and gin under the Yellowstone, Minor Case, and Bowling & Burch brands. Operations include an on-site retail shop, daily distillery tours and tastings, and Minors Lounge craft cocktail bar, with wholesale distribution to wine and spirits retailers nationwide through Luxco Inc.'s network.
Product overview
Limestone Branch Distillery produces a portfolio of craft spirits centered around the Yellowstone bourbon brand, including three core products: Yellowstone Select Bourbon (flagship Kentucky straight bourbon), Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey (sherry cask-finished), and Bowling & Burch Gin (New World gin with 17 botanicals). The portfolio includes limited edition releases such as annual Yellowstone Limited Edition bourbons finished in various wine casks, the Yellowstone Family Recipe expression using heritage yeast, and the Landmark Edition bottle series featuring national park imagery. The newest addition is Yellowstone American Single Malt Whiskey.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Yellowstone Bourbon: Flagship bourbon brand, established 1872, featuring Yellowstone Select, Yellowstone Limited Edition, Yellowstone Family Recipe, and Yellowstone American Single Malt Whiskey.
- Minor Case Rye Whiskey
- Bowling & Burch Gin
Products and services
- Yellowstone Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Flagship Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey, a 93 proof blend of four- and seven-year-old bourbons with notes of smoked caramel, leathered cherries, oak, and brown sugar. Sold through distillery shop, Minors Lounge, and nationwide wholesale to wine and spirits retailers.
- Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey Straight rye whiskey finished for six months in Meier's Wine Cellars cream sherry casks, producing earthy and sweet notes with hints of butterscotch and dried fruit. Sold through distillery retail, Minors Lounge, and wholesale distribution.
- Bowling & Burch Gin New World Gin crafted with 17 botanicals, several grown on-site at the distillery (including honeysuckle flowers, lemon verbena, lemongrass, and hibiscus), produced via a vapor infusion process using tiered botanical baskets in the still. Bottled at 96 proof with citrus-forward, floral notes.
- Yellowstone Family Recipe Bourbon Limited production bourbon honoring 150 years of Beam- and Dant-family distilling traditions, crafted using yeast cloned from Minor Case Beam's original yeast jug. Bottled at 100 proof, SRP $69.99. Available exclusively at the distillery.
- Yellowstone Select Landmark Edition Bottles Limited edition bottle series celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Yellowstone bourbon brand, featuring six different Yellowstone National Park landmark scenes on the labels. SRP $39.99. Distributed nationwide at retail.
- Yellowstone American Single Malt Whiskey American single malt whiskey introduced as the newest full-time member of the Yellowstone brand family and latest expression from Master Distiller Stephen Beam.
- 2020 Yellowstone Limited Edition Bourbon Annual limited edition bourbon release featuring a 7-year-old bourbon conditioned in Armagnac brandy casks. Approximately 5,000 cases produced. SRP $99.99.
- 2021 Yellowstone Limited Edition Bourbon Annual limited edition bourbon release featuring 7-year and 15-year bourbons finished in Amarone casks, bottled at 101 proof. Approximately 7,500 cases produced (50% increase over 2020) and released nationwide.
- 2022 Yellowstone Limited Edition Bourbon Annual limited edition bourbon release blending 7-year, 15-year, and 16-year-old bourbons finished in Marsala Superiore casks to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Yellowstone brand. SRP $99.99 per 750ml.
- Distillery Tours and Educational Tastings Ticketed distillery tour experiences including the Yellowstone Select Tour Experience (focused on the whiskey process and products), the Limestone Branch Distillery Tour (covering bourbon, rye, and gin), and a 30-minute Educational Tasting option. Tours run daily with approximately one-hour durations, supporting consumer education and brand engagement.
- Minors Lounge Craft Cocktail Bar On-site craft cocktail bar at the Lebanon, Kentucky distillery, serving handcrafted cocktails, flights, and pours from the distillery's award-winning spirits portfolio. Operated by master mixologist Derrick Mattingly and open during distillery hours.
- Distillery Retail Shop and Branded Merchandise On-site retail shop selling custom branded merchandise (glassware, shakers, apparel), exclusive distillery-only products (including Yellowstone Limited Edition and Hand-Picked Single Barrels), and the full spirits portfolio. Operates as part of the distillery's direct-to-consumer channel.
Quantifiable outcome
- Donated nearly $210,000 to National Parks Conservation Association
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Limestone Branch Distillery
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Limestone Branch Distillery technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Limestone Branch Distillery partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA)coreOngoing National Parks Program partnership. For every bottle of Yellowstone Select sold, Limestone Branch donates $1 to NPCA for preservation of national parks. Company has donated nearly $210,000 to date. Yellowstone Bourbon recognized by NPCA with National Park Defender Award for commitment to national park protection.
- Meier's Wine CellarscoreSupplier of cream sherry casks used for aging Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey. Meier's Wine Cellars in Silverton, Ohio is the state's oldest operating winery and maker of Meier's #44 cream sherry, which was former President John F. Kennedy's favorite.
- Luxco Inc.coreParent company headquartered in St. Louis, MO. Luxco operates multiple spirits brands and provides distribution, marketing, and operational support for Limestone Branch Distillery.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Limestone Branch Distillery competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Castle & Key Distillery: Kentucky craft distillery in a restored historic property producing gin, vodka, bourbon, and rye with extensive on-site tours and gardens. Comparable craft positioning, tourism-led revenue mix, and small-batch heritage brand identity.
- Wilderness Trail Distillery: Kentucky craft bourbon distillery and fellow Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour member that produces small-batch bourbon and rye with on-site tours and a similar heritage-driven brand story. Directly comparable in scale, channel mix, and craft positioning.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company: Kentucky craft distillery producing a wide portfolio of bourbon and rye expressions with on-site restaurant, bar, and tour offerings. Similar DTC tourism-led model though operating at a larger production scale than Limestone Branch.
- New Riff Distillery: Northern Kentucky craft distillery producing bourbon, rye, and malt whiskey with a tasting room and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour membership. Comparable in product portfolio breadth, craft scale, and on-site tourism model.
- Willett Distillery (Kentucky Bourbon Distillers): Family-owned Bardstown, Kentucky craft distillery producing small-batch bourbon, rye, and single barrel expressions with a long Kentucky heritage. Comparable in family-owned craft positioning, premium price points, and limited production philosophy.
Broad incumbents
- Lux Row Distillers: Luxco's Kentucky-based flagship distillery producing Ezra Brooks, Rebel, and Old Crow bourbon brands. Sister operation under the same Luxco parent, providing the most direct comparison for how Limestone Branch fits within the broader Luxco portfolio strategy.
- Heaven Hill Distillery: One of the largest family-owned spirits producers in Kentucky with brands including Evan Williams, Larceny, and Henry McKenna. Represents the broader incumbent category against which Limestone Branch's craft positioning competes for shelf space and consumer attention.
Peers
- Rabbit Hole Dareringer (Rabbit Hole Distillery):
Emerging players
- Copper & Kings American Brandy Company: Louisville-based craft distillery producing brandy, gin, and whiskey with on-site tours and cocktail bar. Comparable craft scale, tourism-led model, and overlap in gin/whiskey product categories.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses2 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Limestone Branch Distillery social profiles
Digital presenceLimestone Branch Distillery financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Limestone Branch Distillery leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Limestone Branch Distillery funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Limestone Branch Distillery M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Limestone Branch Distillery
What does Limestone Branch Distillery do?
Limestone Branch Distillery is a craft distillery that produces and sells small-batch bourbon, rye whiskey, and gin under the Yellowstone, Minor Case, and Bowling & Burch brands. Operations include an on-site retail shop, daily distillery tours and tastings, and Minors Lounge craft cocktail bar, with wholesale distribution to wine and spirits retailers nationwide through Luxco Inc.'s network.
Is Limestone Branch Distillery a public or private company?
Limestone Branch Distillery is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Limestone Branch Distillery founded?
Limestone Branch Distillery was founded in 2011. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Limestone Branch Distillery based?
Limestone Branch Distillery is headquartered in Lebanon, United States, in the North America region.
How does Limestone Branch Distillery make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Spirits Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are distillery Tours and Tastings, minor's Lounge Craft Cocktail Bar and retail Merchandise.
Who are Limestone Branch Distillery's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Castle & Key Distillery, Wilderness Trail Distillery, Bardstown Bourbon Company, New Riff Distillery and Willett Distillery (Kentucky Bourbon Distillers). Broad incumbents are Lux Row Distillers and Heaven Hill Distillery. Rabbit Hole Dareringer (Rabbit Hole Distillery) is listed as a peer. Copper & Kings American Brandy Company is listed as an emerging player.
Does Limestone Branch Distillery have an API?
No public API is recorded for Limestone Branch Distillery.
What industry is Limestone Branch Distillery in?
Limestone Branch Distillery's product category is Craft Distilled Spirits. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAFALAG, Distilleries (Tasting Rooms), with a secondary code of THAFALAJ, Spirits/Cocktail Bars Operated by Producers. Its NAICS code is 312140 and its SIC code is 5180.