High West Distillery was founded in 2006 by David Perkins, and his wife Jane and began distilling in 2007. You've undoubtedly seen these eye-catching bottles at most alcohol retailers, but did you know that High West started all of those years ago with just a small 250 gallon still? Fast forward to 2024 and you now have a world class, internationally-known brand that is producing fantastic spirits!
Today we're sharing our thoughts with you on two of High West's whiskey offerings - the Cask Strength Bourbon-Rye blend and the American Single Malt Whiskey, dubbed High Country. Both were tasted neat in Glencairn glasses.
The High West Cask Strength Bourbon-Rye Blend is a combination of straight bourbon and straight rye whiskeys that carry an age statement of six to ten years. As if the age statement wasn't impressive enough, add on a proof of 117.4, a beautiful label and a mahogany color that catches the eye and you have something special here. Stone fruits and citrus blend with maple candy and dusty bookstore on the nose. The higher proof welcomes you with a lovely hug and quickly brings baked peaches, marscapone, saddle leather, hints of passion fruit and mocha. These flavors drift off to an impressive and noteworthy finish with sourdough toast and honey. Delicious!
ABV: 58.7% (117.4 proof)
Distillery: High West Distillery
Suggested retail price: $69.99
Drink The Bottles score: 94/100
The High West High Country American Single Malt Whiskey is a limited-release offering comprised of a mash bill that is 85% base malt, 14% carmel 60 malt and 1% chocolate malt. If you're a single malt fan, then we highly encourage you to take a look a this! Don't let the low proof deter you as this is distilled on the grain, helping coax a myriad of flavors and character to this whiskey.
Copper color with another impressive label, you feel like you're walking into a bakery in full production in a small village in the mountains. There is no other way to describe the near-sensory overload you get with this - baked goods, farm fields in the fall before harvest, chocolate, vanilla and maple. We're going to go back and give this a few drops of water at a later point and see what else this whiskey is cooking up. Brown butter, honey flavored candy, shortcake, vanilla ice cream and mountain air round out the flavors, hitting all of the senses just right. Single malt fans, this is YOUR whiskey!
ABV: 44.0% (88 proof)
Distillery: High West Distillery
Suggested retail price: $79.99
Drink The Bottles score: 92/100
