High West Rendezvous Rye Whiskey Review

If there’s one thing Utah’s High West distillery does well, it’s blending whiskey to create something unique.  Sometimes, it’s really different.  Look no further than their Bourye, a bourbon and rye whiskey blend, or their Campfire whiskey, made up of bourbon, rye whiskey and peated Scotch.  Other times, High West sticks to mixing similar types of whiskies together, which leads us to Rendezvous Rye.

High West Rendezvous Rye 1

As stated right on its label, Rendezvous Rye is a “blend of straight rye whiskies.”  In the case of the current batch, it’s a blend of 6-year-old and 16-year-old rye whiskies.  The younger rye comes from MGP in Indiana in the form of their famous 95% rye & 5% malted barley mashbill.  The Barton distillery in Bardstown, KY, provides the 16-year-old rye whiskey.  The mashbill here is 80% rye, 10% corn, and 10% barley.

High West does not chill filter their whiskies, and Rendezvous Rye is no exception.  It’s proofed down to 46% abv (92 proof) and available for about $50.  My sample bottle is from batch 15I22.

Based on the price point, it’s safe to say the majority of this blend is comprised of the younger whiskey, presumably giving it a youthful quality and showcasing the rye grain.  The older rye should mellow things out and provide some more complex aromas and flavors.

The nose has that dill note usually found in MGP’s 95% rye whiskey, but this whiskey is not a one trick pony.  I pick up some caramel and vanilla, as well as a little oak.  The nose is just okay.  Where this whisky really shines is in the flavor department.  The entry is full of sweet cinnamon and a sharp rye grain.  That develops into rich toffee, light brown sugar, and vanilla bean.  A bit of astringency follows courtesy of oak from the older whiskey.  Fresh spearmint shows up on the backend and freshens things up, leading to a long, semi-sweet and minty finish.

This is a VERY pleasing whiskey.  Blends are nothing new in the American whiskey business, but High West is leagues ahead of most.  Taking an already tasty 95% rye MGP whiskey and adding some much older rye of a different mashbill elevates this release from good to great.  There are lots of decent rye whiskies on the market.  Why choose decent when you can buy this for a price that won’t break the bank.  Highly recommended.

8/10
(Note: A review sample was provided by High West.)

High West 14-Year-Old Light Whiskey Review

Photo courtesy of High West.

Photo courtesy of High West.

A couple of weeks ago High West announced the release of a limited edition 14-year-old light whiskey.  The release is a blend of 100 barrels of light whiskey from MGP distilled between 1999 and 2001.  All were maturing in used barrels, as opposed to new barrels.  This means there isn’t as much barrel influence, making this whiskey more spirit-forward.

Light whiskey is distilled at a higher proof than, say bourbon, for example.  That proof is usually 160 – 100 proof, or 80-95% abv.  High West says it’s the same type of whiskey that the UK calls grain whiskey, a component of most blended whiskeys.

You don’t really see light whiskey here in the US anymore.  It was more prevalent in the 60s and 70s, when beverage companies thought the public wanted a lighter tasting spirit.

High West 14-year-old light whiskey is bottled at 92 proof.  It’s available only at the distillery for $99.95.

So, how is it?

The nose is full of fresh lemons, buttered corn and light toffee alongside a whiff of rubbing alcohol.  It’s not as “intense” as bourbon of the same proof.  The same can be said of the palate.  While it remains light, there are lots of flavor to be found in this whiskey.  Toffee, sweet corn and lemon rind are the prominent flavors.  Hiding just underneath is a nice floral note.  Some water highlights the sweet, rich toffee notes.  There’s a vodka-like burn followed by a some fresh mint on the short finish.  The finish does slightly improve with some airtime.

While not my favorite release from High West, this 14-year-old light whiskey is interesting to drink.  It’s definitely spirit-forward in terms of flavor and delivery.  I enjoy the light, airy nose and perfect-for-springtime palate.  As I mentioned earlier, the finish has a vodka-like quality that sort of turns me off. Does the rest of the tasting experience make up for the finish?  I think so, but ultimately that’s something only you can answer.  High West’s light whiskey may be a fine companion during those hot summer months.  Especially over some ice.

7.5/10
(Note: A review sample was provided by High West.)

 

Michter’s 10-Year-Old Single Barrel Bourbon Review (2016)

Michters 10yr 2016

December 2015 saw the last release of Michter’s 10-year-old single barrel bourbon (read my review of that here).  I enjoyed it so much I named it one of my favorite whiskies of 2015.  Now, just five months later, Michter’s announced the next release of their 10-year-old bourbon.  That’s a pretty quick turnaround, and a welcome one, especially for whiskey enthusiasts who weren’t able to pick up a bottle.  These tend not to stick around on shelves.

“I love our 10 Year Bourbon and wish we could sell it year-round, but we just don’t have enough,” said Master Distiller Willie Pratt of the 2016 release.

Michter’s 10-year bourbon is part of their Limited Production line, which also features a 10-year-old rye whiskey and a 20-year-old bourbon.  All are single barrel releases.  The 10-year bourbon is bottled at 94.4 proof and is available for $120.

Michters 10yr 2016 tag

My sample comes from barrel 16B233.

This particular barrel of Michter’s 10-year-old bourbon has a rich, sweet nose.  Sweet corn pudding starts things off.  Dive in deeper and find some caramel, tobacco and some vanilla bean.   There’s some subtle cinnamon and clove upon entry, developing into a vanilla creme brûlée, slightly burnt caramel, almonds and dried orange peel.  That cinnamon spice from earlier pops back up a little stronger than it did on the entry.  Some oak tannins are present, but don’t leave too much of a drying effect until the longish finish, where a blast of vanilla coats the mouth, disappearing slowly and leaving behind a slightly dry oak.

The 2015 release is on the left, and the 2016 release is on the right.

The 2015 release is on the left, and the 2016 release is on the right.

How does it compare to the 2015 release?

That’s a question I’ve been asked by several folks since posting a “head-to-head” picture on my Instagram account.  (Cheap plug – follow @adventures_in_whiskey on Instagram.)  Back to the point.  This is less a question of how this whiskey compares year to year.  More accurately it’s a barrel versus barrel comparison, as both are single barrel releases.

My 2016 bottle doesn’t have as much vanilla upfront on the nose as the 2015 bottle.  It develops a little later with a little airtime.  It’s also a bit more complex, especially with that nice tobacco note.  The 2016 release also carries a more corn-based aroma.  The palate and finish has more oak and vanilla, and generally less spicy than the 2015, which carried big cinnamon notes.

Both are fantastic bourbons with luscious, elegant and vibrant profiles.  Either one easily deserves a place in your whiskey shelf.  Love ’em or hate ’em, the folks at Michter’s release quality whiskey and this 2016 10-year-old bourbon is no exception.  Highly recommended.

9/10
(Note: A review sample was provided by Michter’s.)