High West Bourye (2018 Release)

I sampled this at Whiskyfest SF, but I had already consumed several drinks. I'm quite sure I enjoyed it then, but here's a sober assessment. Nose: Presents as very sweet with a classic high-rye bourbon aroma of vanilla, dark caramelized sugars, and a lot of apple. As I explore the aroma further, I detect some lightly herbal rye notes and a hint of freshly baked sourdough. Flavor: More vanilla and dark sugars with significant oak influence from the aged whiskeys in the blend. Some grassy rye notes and a touch of toasted peanuts in the background. It presents as what it is: a blend of rye and bourbon. Finish: Medium long, becomes quite herbal with considerable mint and black pepper. Some rye spice, but less than anticipated. A slightly drying oak note appears at the very end. Overall, this is a pleasant whiskey where the herbal notes from the rye are nicely balanced by the sweet, nutty characteristics of the bourbon. It closely resembles a Maryland-style rye (typically around 51% rye and high corn), such as Sagamore, but the advanced age significantly enhances its complexity and dark sugar notes.

“You got bourbon in my rye!” “No, you got rye in my bourbon!” After finding this at a slight discount at a local store, I decided to explore the world of bourbon/rye blends: Nose features honey, wintergreen, vanilla, clove, white pepper, and cinnamon. The overall aroma is subtle. Palate opens with nutmeg, clove, pear, and a light biscuity sweetness akin to a scone. Mid-palate has tea leaf, cocoa, and cinnamon. It transitions smoothly into the finish. Very well balanced. Finish is lengthy for a spirit under 100 proof, with lingering mint, pepper, and vanilla (an interesting combination). Mouthfeel is light and airy. Delicate and complex, I found this bottling quite satisfying and believe it successfully incorporated the best aspects of both whiskey styles. At the $75 I paid (it's typically $85-$90 in my area), it's a bit expensive to repurchase for a 94 proof, but I'm maintaining the 4.0 rating due to my considerable enjoyment of what was in the bottle.

A generous sample was provided by a friend. I want to state upfront that I truly enjoy this. The nose is quite rich, offering notes of vanilla custard, nutty tapioca, and a subtle hint of cardboard (which I mean positively, similar to the aroma of an empty pizza box). The taste is simply amazing. It's incredibly smooth, bringing to mind a blackberry cheesecake with a subtle oak undertone. The finish is short, with a sweet, berry-like fade.

Truly wonderful. Each moment, the High West name conjures the gentle, familiar image of established, contented former pioneers and their creations, pulling me back to happy, sometimes real, moments with such excellence. The blend and feel on the palate surpass even mangos.

A tasting event with a friend. This blend is absolutely incredible. While excessively expensive, it's still outstanding. It offers great bourbon character and distinct rye notes. It's different from a standard high-rye bourbon. In my opinion, it's truly better than the sum of its components. Try it at a bar or, as I did, get a small pour.

You could offer this as a gesture of peace to the Eloi, and they'd start a war with the Morlocks over it. Seriously, ensure this isn't in your time machine's controls. Blood will be shed. There's some nice rye spice right at the beginning. It's silky smooth. Cinnamon and maple complete the profile. Damn good.