Some whiskeys announce themselves with fanfare; others prefer a quieter entrance. Mile High Spirits Fireside Bourbon vs Yellowstone Family Recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Budget vs Premium Bourbon belongs firmly to the latter school.
Is the premium price tag really worth it? We compare Mile High Spirits Fireside Bourbon ($30.00) against Yellowstone Family Recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey ($70.00) to find out whether spending more actually means drinking better.
This is a matchup every whiskey enthusiast faces at the store shelf. We'll break down nose, palate, finish, and value so you can make an informed choice.
Specifications at a Glance
| Mile High Spirits Fireside Bourbon | Yellowstone Family Recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | N/A | N/A |
| Type | Bourbon | Bourbon |
| Age | N/A | N/A |
| ABV | 40% ABV | 100 proof |
| Price | $30.00 | $70.00 |
| Rating | 8/10 | 6/10 |
Nose
Mile High Spirits Fireside Bourbon: The nose carries some classic bourbon notes of vanilla, cherry, and orange. I was intrigued to also get notes of pine, which I think is appropriate given a name like Fireside.
Yellowstone Family Recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Bananas. Like a lot of bananas. That’s not bad: I mean, think of all the banana desserts that exist and entice, right? Bananas drizzled with alcohol and set on fire, bananas sliced lengthwise as a boat for ice cream, bananas processed into homemade protein bars on Instagram (which seem to be coming up a lot on my feed ever since I wrote this review). But this smells more of, like, countertop bananas. Other than banana, I get new-mown grass, and baked apples (I know, more fruit.) And hay. There is something very autumnal about the nose of this whiskey. And although spring is my favorite season, I ain’t mad. If you get past the banana, this smells like fall in a Glencairn.
Both whiskeys present distinct aromatic profiles. The differences on the nose already hint at the divergent tasting experiences to come.
Palate
Mile High Spirits Fireside Bourbon: Vanilla and orange is present on the palate too, which is joined by baking spices, brown sugar, and coffee. The initial sip seemed a bit watery but then exploded with flavor and a strong alcohol punch. I get some light smokiness, but not as much as I was anticipating from what I read. But that could be because Im comparing smokiness against Islay scotch. The finish is warm and smooth.
Yellowstone Family Recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey: This is 100 proof. It wants to tell you! It’s shouting! There’s a slight prickle and burn at the start and finish, respectively. I want more depth of flavor, but this comes across as one-note. Some whiskeys taste more expensive than they are. This isn’t one of them. I understand the care involved in crafting a whiskey, but I wanted more and don’t find the value to be there. It’s a middle of the road whiskey.
On the palate, the character of each whiskey really comes to life. This is where personal preference plays the biggest role.
Finish
Mile High Spirits Fireside Bourbon: Comments: 40% ABV. $30
Yellowstone Family Recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Banana lingers with a prickle and burn on the finish.
The finish can make or break a whiskey. A long, satisfying finish keeps you coming back for another sip.
Value for Money
When it comes to value for money, Mile High Spirits Fireside Bourbon offers significantly more bang for your buck at $30.00 compared to Yellowstone Family Recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey's $70.00.
The significant price gap between these two makes value an especially important factor in this comparison.
The Verdict
In this matchup, Mile High Spirits Fireside Bourbon takes the crown with a rating of 8/10 compared to Yellowstone Family Recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey's 6/10. It delivers a more compelling overall experience that justifies its place in your collection.
That said, Yellowstone Family Recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is by no means a bad whiskey. If the flavour profile of Yellowstone Family Recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey appeals to your palate more, don't let a number stop you.
Read the Full Reviews
- Mile High Spirits Fireside Bourbon – Full Review
- Yellowstone Family Recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Full Review
Final Reflections
Mile High Spirits Fireside Bourbon vs Yellowstone Family Recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Budget vs Premium Bourbon is the kind of bottle that rewards the curious — those willing to sit with a glass and let the story unfold at its own pace.
