High West High Country American Single Malt (2023 Release)

Just landed in Utah stores this week. I wrongly assumed it was the 2025 batch, but nope... it's 2023 stock. I really didn't want this batch, preferring the 2025's more complex finishing barrels over these specific barreling types. Alas, I realized my error too late; the bottles are secured, and you can't examine them properly with a state employee watching. Big thanks to UDABS and High West for nothing 😑 Tasted neat. Golden straw color with robust coating legs. The aroma presents vanilla, damp grain, unharvested orchard fruit, and zesty grass, with a touch of ethanol in the background. A thin, sweet burst of ethanol is followed by a mild tingling spice on the palate. The mouthfeel is thin, with not much to savor. The finish offers tannic bitter oak and a hint of charred smoke, which is more engaging, but it remains sweet and sour, with some pepper and a trace of chocolate, though it's brief overall. An ice cube further dilutes it, leaving a floral sweetness. It seems High West's own spirit never improves. Constellation Brands acquired a well-known MGP blender, thinking they could become a genuine distillery. They have attractive bottles, high prices, a new facility, all the charm of Park City, Utah, and a romantic Western theme, but it's all facade and marketing. This distillery needs a complete overhaul: scrap the current stock and assemble a new team. I want to see them succeed in crafting quality whiskey in Utah. I was a big supporter during their MGP blending days, from Rendezvous Rye to Double Rye to Bourye (and Son of) to Yippee-Ki-Yay, and even Campfire. Consult my reviews. However, every bottle featuring their own spirit has been a letdown so far, even when they try to mask it by blending in superior MGP whiskey (consider their Rendezvous Rye with the stunning Ed Mell artwork; a direct comparison with an older Rendezvous revealed how their current spirit degraded the new blend). I had high hopes High West would excel at making American single malt, a category I've enjoyed increasingly over the past three years, but this offering is quite average compared to others. It merits a 3-star rating, with an additional quarter star for the finish. "This is not the single malt you are searching for. Continue on your way."

Tastes like grain waffles, fig jam, and cedar wood.