High West Bourye (2020 Release)

Tried it neat. The first pour from the 2020 bottle. I hadn't experienced this brand before, but the fact that it was a mix of aged MGP stock piqued my interest. The aroma offered a remarkable amount of citrus peel, followed by notes of vanilla. As I spent more time with it, the bourbon character emerged, revealing hints of caramel and warm spices. A cinnamon bun with frosting became increasingly noticeable. It continuously shifts between the rye and bourbon characteristics, which is quite pleasing and well-adjusted! The mouthfeel was a bit light. Sweetness of cinnamon and brown sugar appeared first, then a powerful wave of orange and rye spice struck. This citrus note is unexpectedly potent. Much like the smell, the bourbon elements became more apparent the longer I lingered with it. Notes of vanilla, caramel, and mild oak. This is enjoyable! Aside from the somewhat thin texture, I appreciated the overall sensation. It truly lives up to its name, oscillating between rye and bourbon traits.

A friend offered this to me without revealing it. My initial impression was similar to drinking a high-rye bourbon, with strong vanilla and cherry notes, but it was noticeably SPICY! I detected cinnamon, red hots, and white pepper. Since I generally favor high-rye bourbons, I truly enjoyed this sample. The finish was tannic and had a full body from the oak influence. There's also some orange zest present. I approve!

Doesn't impress for what it costs. The label and website suggest a 10-year blend, but I'm not sure about the age otherwise. No mention of rye, which makes me wonder if I'm missing something. It's very spicy with good body. Some vanilla and fruit, possibly citrus, but it's sadly indistinguishable and hard to discern the individual flavors. The finish is long, but suffers from the same issue - flavors are difficult to separate. I would not purchase this again.

A very unique rye. The nose is very sweet with vanilla and caramel. It's not nearly as hot as I anticipated given the high rye content, making it much more palatable neat. Loads of vanilla throughout. Some caramel and leather upfront. Red hots and rye taste come later with a moderate finish. I’ll be looking for a bottle now!

Uncertain about the release date. It almost has a creamy mouthfeel, but it's slightly on the dry side. Definitely on the sweeter end of the spectrum. For some reason, it evokes images of a mountain cabin, something to enjoy by a fire. Not exactly peppery, but more of a sweet/sour/bitter profile? The lingering taste is also quite good.

The aroma is of grass, leather, and mustiness. The front is sharp, leading to a smooth and full finish. Flavors of cinnamon, pepper, smoke, and tobacco are on the front. Vanilla, caramel, subtle chocolate, and raisin, with continued pepper, are on the finish.