High West Campfire (Discontinued)

Continuing to review whiskies from my personal collection. High West, a distiller located in Utah, offers both their own distillate and sourced spirits. They seem to combine various whiskies rather than white-labeling a single source. My appreciation for them began with a bottle of A Midwinter Night’s Dram, and I’ve since tried others. Though these three selections are distinct—one bourbon, one whiskey, and one blend of straight rye whiskies—the producer uniquely crafts each one. High West American Prairie Bourbon This bourbon exhibits a clear, amber hue. The aroma presents notes of caramel, graham cracker, sawdust, and a subtle herbal quality, complemented by refreshing spearmint. The palate is sweet, featuring honey and candied orange, with an oaky spice that transitions into a lengthy vanilla finish. American Prairie Bourbon (now called "High West Bourbon") utilizes bourbon sourced from both MGP and Kentucky. Based on their website, the MGP mash bill consists of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. Another sourced bourbon (non-MGP) is made with 84% corn, 8% rye, and 8% malted barley. The site also states that "Other whiskey components are undisclosed due to contractual reasons." I'm completely fine with this; agreements are agreements. There's no deception here, no hidden information (though the Campfire whiskey below does indeed have smoke). They make an effort to be transparent and honest. My bottle also indicates that 10% of its post-tax profits are donated to the American Prairie Reserve. This bourbon provides sweetness, spice, complexity, is 92 proof, and costs just over $30. It's rare to find a bourbon on the market that matches this combination and value. Would I purchase it again? Yes, absolutely. Pour a glass neat, watch "Yellowstone," and channel your inner cowboy. Score: 4.0. 46% ABV. No Age Statement. Batch 17J27. Non chill filtered. No added coloring. High West Campfire Whiskey Its color is slightly lighter than the American Prairie Bourbon, resembling a pale amber. The aroma highlights smoke and honey, with hints of clove and cool spearmint. Smoke and honey, honey and smoke: High West Campfire is akin to the Islay region's whiskies but from the Rockies. Its distinctive blend of smoke and sweetness differs from the profile of some Ardbeg or Lagavulin Distiller's Edition offerings. It is uniquely High West, deserving praise for pioneering new whiskey paths and skillfully combining diverse distillates (and flavor profiles). Campfire typically sells for $80. There's truly nothing else like it. Would I buy it again? Yes. Score: 4.0. 46% ABV. Batch 17R15 High West A Midwinter Night’s Dram Rye Whiskey, Act 6 Scene 4 This whiskey is the deepest in color among the group, displaying rich russet tones. The nose is rich with brown sugar, mulled cider, baked apples, some oaky vanilla (in a pleasant way, not overpowering), and a nicely straightforward sweet rye flavor. The whiskey has a light, oily texture on the palate, blending into classic rye spice, and finishes long with additional vanilla. Excellent. A Midwinter Night’s Dram has several annual releases; "Act" denotes the year since its debut, and "Scene" indicates the specific release within that year. The producer states that this bottling starts with High West Rendezvous Rye (a blend of their own and sourced distillate) and is then finished in both tawny and ruby port barrels. "Words, words, words," according to The Bard, who inspired the title. "Rye, rye, rye," says the writer of this praise for the Utah distillery. Or, perhaps more fittingly: "aye, aye, aye." I acquired this bottle some time ago; current releases apparently retail for around $250, based on an online search, though High West’s site lists it at $125. I recall paying about $90 a few years back (this particular bottle was unopened in my collection until tonight). Would I buy it again? Aye. Even if I had to part with something else. Score: 4.25. 49.3% ABV. There’s much to appreciate about High West Distillery. Their bottles have a rustic charm, with imperfections like air bubbles in the glass, uneven bases, and textured surfaces. The labels feature fonts with slightly torn edges. Their products boast Western-themed names, with the exception of A Midwinter Night’s Dram—and who am I to object to a nod to Shakespeare? The presentation is rugged yet refined. This attention to detail extends beyond the branding. High West’s whiskies are non-chill filtered and contain no added coloring. The labels are specific about mash bills, disclose sourcing information when contractually permitted, and tell stories that don't require imaginative leaps. The small print on the back labels suggests a friendly openness and welcoming approach. There’s nothing to conceal. High West avoids releasing watered-down, 80-proof spirits, which not only demonstrates a dedication to quality but also aligns the higher proof with their rugged Western aesthetic. They support charitable causes. All of this points to a vision committed to quality—and even artistry, given their consistent branding. Horace Greeley’s advice holds true: “Go West, young man!” Note: All spirits were tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

Vanilla and caramel flavors play on the palate before some herbal rye notes begin to surface, appearing slightly green but savory. Oak and cereal also join in the middle, just before notes of toffee and fig emerge. The finish features moderate peat and some oily rye notes that linger. The finish is medium to long, with a peppery and peaty character. This is likely one of my favorite bottles from high west that I've tried. It masterfully combines peated malt and American whiskeys. I need to try the newer version. A special thanks to a friend for the generous gifting of the bottle!

Nose: Typical herbal notes followed by strong leather from the scotch. Palate: The scotch and bourbon elements are definitely present, but the rye is less so. There's a medicinal taste that comes through. Finish: A long, lingering finish that becomes sweeter as it progresses. Perhaps it appeals to scotch lovers, but it's not enough for me, especially considering the price of around $70.

It's a campfire in your mouth and everyone's invited! An amazing whiskey. A fantastic blend of scotch, whiskey, and rye to create a super interesting spirit. I'm sure many more cocktail recipes will come from this. Enjoy it neat on the hills of Park City, or by the fire on a chilly evening. I'll be keeping a bottle of this ready from now on.

Nose - Smoky, lightly sweet, and airy like marshmallows. Abundant honey. Tastes like sweet baked bread. An incredible nose. Palate - Straightforward smoke, wood, and peat. Some cinnamon and light honey. The taste matches the name's implication. A touch of honey and vanilla plays around the smoke. Finish - Light cinnamon. Smoke again, like the dying embers of a fire.

Nose: significant smoke. A little sweet. Palate: slightly peaty with some mild sweetness on the palate as well. Finish: entirely peat. Overall: The initial campfire experience I had back in 2018 was completely different. I'm uncertain if they decided to incorporate scotch into the one I'm tasting now, but I certainly preferred the first version.