Review: Wyoming Whiskey National Parks No.4 – A Bourbon for Campfires, Vinyl Nights, and Cocktails at Home

There’s something undeniably cool about a bottle that not only celebrates Bourbon but also honors Yellowstone, one of my favorite national parks. Wyoming Whiskey’s National Parks No.4 – a 5-year-old, 98-proof straight bourbon – is the fourth entry in their annual National Park Series. This release leans into the story of F. Jay Haynes, Yellowstone’s first official photographer, who spent his life documenting the park’s geysers, hot springs, and rugged wilderness. Just looking at the bottle makes you want to get out of your studio and soak up some great outdoors. This is a bourbon equally at home by a glowing campfire, on your turntable nights, or in a highball glass with friends before heading out to the club/concert (Of course, you are taking an Uber).

Bourbon from Wyoming? Yup.

Wyoming Whiskey is exactly what it says on the label: born, bred, and barreled in Wyoming. The company is fiercely committed to keeping its whiskey a product of the state, from grain to glass, drawing from local grains and water. I can’t think of a drink that is more on brand with the true West than Bourbon, can you?

This National Parks Series does more than release collectible bottles – it donates a portion of proceeds to Yellowstone Forever, the official nonprofit partner of the park. So, yes, every pour carries a whiff of doing some good alongside doing you good. I’ll drink to that!

Nose, Taste, and Finish

Without being too nerdy with you, Wyoming Whiskey No. 4 is a very solid bottle of Bourbon for a five-year-old. The whiskey opens with a hint of vanilla on the nose and is as smooth as it smells. What I like is the subtle sweetness that says Bourbon, but not so much that it feels like dessert. It’s a great spirit to enjoy before or after dinner, straight or in a cocktail. It’s complex enough to sit with and appreciate. Still, it never feels like homework – a key distinction when your drinking companion is firewood popping under the stars, friends around the turntable, or getting fired up for a night out.

Around the Campfire

Wyoming Whiskey National Parks No.4 doesn’t need anything else to shine – neat or with a splash of water, it’s camp whiskey at its finest. The caramel and ginger notes warm you up just as much as the glowing embers. So toss that Yukon Jack or other weak sauce and step up your game; your campfire stories will be better, and your friends will admire your good taste.

Back home, this Bourbon begs for vinyl. Drop the needle on something soulful – maybe a nice pressing of Miles Davis’s Kind of Blue or some Massive Attack. The Bourbon’s finish complements jazz’s smoky edges and downtempo electronic’s heady vibe. It’s the kind of drink that lets you listen more slowly, flipping the record over with deliberate ceremony rather than Spotify shuffle chaos. Yes, as you can tell, I enjoy drinking bourbon and listening to records; it’s a weekend must.

Cocktails If Neat is Not Your Jam

For the mix-minded, Wyoming Whiskey offers cocktail recipes that are perfect for those who don’t like it straight:

• Wilderness Fizz – The ginger syrup and lime juice tease out the whiskey’s candied ginger notes, while soda water lightens it up for porch sipping. Think of it as a Western cousin to a highball, refreshing without losing character.

• Maple Toddy – Perfect for a snowy night, this warm cocktail combines the vanilla and caramel notes of Bourbon with the woodsy sweetness of maple syrup. A splash of lemon adds just enough brightness to cut through the richness.

Both showcase how National Parks No.4 can pivot from neat pours to more polished house cocktails without losing its soul.

Final Thoughts

Wyoming Whiskey National Parks No.4 is more than a limited-edition bottle; it’s a liquid postcard from Yellowstone. Whether you’re drinking it neat by the fire, letting it soundtrack a vinyl session, or building a cocktail, it brings a sense of place with every sip. This is a bourbon that doesn’t just sit on your bar – it invites you out into the world, or at least helps you bring a little of the wide-open West into your living room.

If you’re a collector, a camper, a home bartender, or just someone who likes their whiskey to carry a story, this is a bottle worth finding. Like Yellowstone itself, it’s timeless but always worth rediscovering, just like your vinyl collection.