High West 14 Year Light Whiskey

Nose: Sweet corn, caramel, and sharp alcohol. Palate: Begins with a smooth, slightly viscous taste of Werther's Original. Sweet creamed corn follows. Its texture is akin to slightly melted butter. Ends with an off-brand cinnamon hard candy. Finish: Lasting, pleasant caramel, cream, and butter. Overall: Quite one-dimensional, yet its sweetness and thickness are so enjoyable that it compels you to return for more. The smoothness and dessert-like character make it an excellent choice despite its lack of complexity. Rating scale: 0-1.5: Awful. Only suitable for mixing or discarding. 2: Poor. Drinkable, but significantly flawed. 2.5: Below average. Acceptable, but bland or somewhat flawed. 3: Decent. Good quality, but I won't be eager to repurchase. 3.5: Very good. I would be pleased to have a bottle on hand. 4: Excellent. I would want to own several bottles. A go-to selection, worthy of celebration. 4.5: Outstanding. Truly top-tier, elite, and very remarkable. 5: Perfect. Almost flawless and an all-time favorite.

Nose - Very clear aroma, hints of buttered popcorn, subtle vanilla cream, and light oak. Taste - Sweet, buttery creamed corn, vanilla buttercream, with a touch of smooth cinnamon spice. Finish - Smooth, creamy sweet corn, vanilla cream cheese frosting, with a background of cinnamon warmth. Score - 85/100 Final Thoughts - I apparently had low expectations for this. Given that it entered the barrel at a high proof, much of the distinct flavor has been largely removed. It was quite one-dimensional but pleasant throughout. I wouldn't actively choose it at a bar or seek it out, but I wouldn't refuse a serving. Nothing was particularly unpleasant, but nothing was particularly exciting either. I can envision it performing very well in an old fashioned emphasizing vanilla and caramel dessert notes.

I sampled this at the High West distillery in Park City, Utah. It's not a destination you need to make a special trip for (unlike a Macallan), but if you find yourself in Park City, it's conveniently located at the entrance to Main St and a worthwhile stop. It houses a distillery, saloon, and restaurant. I tasted this and the Valley Tan, both of which are exclusive to the distillery. This spirit is truly unique. It's well-aged, but not in the manner of a well-aged grain spirit; rather, it's more like a malt-based scotch. I wouldn't have guessed it was corn-based. The nose is fragrant with vanilla, and the palate delivers vanilla along with a strong dose of oak. The finish is long and persistent. I paid $100 for it - I'm uncertain if it warrants that price, especially considering their Midwinter is $90. But, I was there and wanted something I couldn't purchase locally.

I would likely rate this 4.5 if that were an option. Here are a couple of suggestions if you try this: 1) Taste it before consuming anything else. The subtle nuances can be easily missed if your palate is accustomed to more robust, grain-forward spirits. Also, 2) do not expect it to be like bourbon. This is a remarkable product but bears no resemblance to bourbon. The aroma is sweet, reminiscent of graham crackers and marshmallows, and the taste follows suit. This makes for a great summer spirit and is probably one of the most distinctive products you will encounter. A 14-year-old light whiskey is quite uncommon. I would gladly purchase another bottle at $100.

Experienced at the High West restaurant. It's LIGHT. Unlike anything I've had. Coming from their rye, my expectations were different, so the initial sips were confusing. It improved as it sat. Less corn flavor than anticipated, which I appreciated, but I noticed hints of mint and honeysuckle. The mouthfeel was a little thin for my preference. Worth the sample I tried. I don't think I'll spend $100 on it with so many other excellent options from High West.

Intriguing stuff, though not technically whiskey. It's quite delicate on the tongue, leaning more towards a spirit with whiskey notes (which is accurate) than a strong bourbon. It's a great way to introduce folks to whiskey without the rough flavor of a common blend.