High West Cask Collection (OHLQ Pick)

Batch number: 23D18 (hardly readable) Finally trying this holiday gift, and I have mixed feelings initially. I've always enjoyed a rye whiskey from this producer, but I can't recall if it was Bourye, Double Rye, or Rendezvous Rye. After checking the distillery's site to refresh my memory, I discovered three things. First, this Cask Collection item isn't featured anywhere on the site. Second, the cost of all products from this distillery has risen significantly, at least 2-3 times, over the past ~5 years, based on the listed prices on their sales page. And third, while I was still trying to distinguish the core rye whiskeys, I realized this distillery is aiming to be the American equivalent of Johnnie Walker, producing whiskeys that are very similar to each other, often using whiskey they don't make themselves, and charging a premium. I've never been a fan of blended whiskey, mainly because I can buy the individual components and mix them myself, usually saving a considerable amount of money. However, blending also seems disrespectful to the original distillers, as the blender implies their mix is superior to the combination of its parts, while diminishing the inherent flavors of each base spirit. All that aside, I appreciate finishing barrels, particularly when the finish is novel, unique, or quite unusual. In this instance, I believe using specific cabernet sauvignon barrels is risky, as the tannic, dry, almost bitter qualities of this grape might not complement the sweet, grain-forward, potent notes of a bourbon. I do enjoy being proven wrong and surprised by an unexpected success, so I'm hoping this review reflects that. From what I could find away from the distillery's website, this is a mix of 4-9 year old bourbons finished in cabernet sauvignon barrels for 9 months, which suggests a noticeably darker hue. This is indeed the case, as certain lighting and backdrops can shift the glass's color from an expected golden brown to a cherry-chocolate shade, and occasionally even a hint of black at the edges. The nose is both sweet and fruity, amusingly even carrying a slight cherry cordial scent. Dry, toasted oak, general floral notes, mixed red berries, and a touch of banana and tobacco are also present on the nose with repeated sniffing. The alcohol is well-balanced, not weak or absent, but not strong enough to irritate the nostrils. Initial tastes highlight slightly sweet red berries, with a strong emphasis on milk chocolate and a much subtler note of banana. The alcohol quickly warms the entire mouth, focusing on the gum line but without penetrating too deeply. The overall texture is quite dry, which limits the finish's duration, although a sweet oak note can be appreciated throughout the brief yet impactful finish. This is certainly very tasty, which is not entirely unexpected, but I am somewhat surprised by how intense and concentrated the entire flavor profile is, especially at only 100 proof. I have encountered intense spirits (mostly whiskey) at this proof, but it's far more common to be underwhelmed. Additionally, while wine barrel finishing is not new, I did not anticipate the choice of only cabernet sauvignon barrels to be successful, but it fortunately imparted the juicy, berry notes to the final product, while omitting the heavier tannic and earthy characteristics. This is undoubtedly an enjoyable and delicious whiskey with a unique barrel finish that was also surprisingly effective. I savored this neat, and I am equally eager to try it with water, ice, and in cocktails, but I don't believe it warrants the extremely high price point this distillery is adopting, particularly since the barrel finishing is the sole contribution from this distillery to what is likely an MGP-sourced base spirit.