High West Campfire

Blind Test: High West Campfire Smell: Smoky, with a Vicks/menthol scent. Taste: I sense very powerful menthol notes here. This is certainly not what I expected. Smoke is also present. It offers a lot of flavor and is quite distinct, though not necessarily in a positive way. Finish: The finish persists for a considerable time, but it's characterized by more of those medicinal notes. Overall: I've adjusted to it somewhat, but while it's definitely one-of-a-kind, it's not the taste profile I usually prefer in whiskey. Some might find it appealing, and I can imagine it would work well in a cocktail. Score: 2.75/5

NOSE Peat, malty sweetness, dried orchard fruit, roasted nuts, caramel, nutmeg, a light coffee touch, and medicinal notes. The Scotch characteristics are dominant in the aroma, with the rye and bourbon notes being much more subtle. PALATE Peat, charred nuts, malty sweetness, nuts, caramelized banana, dried fruit, vanilla taffy, baking spice, dried raspberries, nutmeg, and some cocoa. This offers a complex flavor experience led by the peaty Scotch, with the bourbon and rye adding depth. FINISH Long, with smoke, dried fruit, nuts, caramel, and nutmeg.

Huh. Never thought I'd say this, but it's different now. After some digging, I see they're using their own distilled product instead of MGP stock, and frankly, I preferred the older stuff. Maybe it's just this specific bottle, but it's a bit too sugary and not well-balanced. That strong foundation is gone, and now it's just sweet peat. It's not terrible, just not very captivating, and not what I've come to expect from this producer.

I could only select "peaty" once, but it needed more descriptors. This liquid tastes as if I subjected a forest fire to a mouthful of grass clippings. If you appreciate Islay scotch, you'll enjoy this. Otherwise, you might feel like you just gnawed a band-aid off a burnt dog's backside. It will now reside on the back shelf for uninvited guests I don't particularly care for.

Batch: 22K18 Served in a Glencairn glass, allowed to rest for 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Aroma: Notes of baking spice, smoke, and some caramel. Palate: Clove and cinnamon are prominent, along with more smoke. Finish: A medium duration with slight warmth. With a splash: The caramel from the aroma reappears. Overall: 7.5/10 - An intriguing blend, but the rye spice and scotch smoke dominate any other flavors. Adding a bit of water enhances the experience.

Possesses a substantial mouthfeel and body. It's spicy, with notes of campfire, roasted coffee, dark caramel, and baked apple. The finish is long, concluding with a bittersweet cocoa taste. The blend is successful, with all three whiskey components harmonizing to create a distinctive overall profile. The smoke adds a lively and intriguing dimension. This was our top whiskey selection of the week, and it supported a worthy cause!