High West

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.)

 

High West Releases 14-year-old Light Whiskey
Photo courtesy of High West.

Photo courtesy of High West.

Utah-based distillery High West announced a limited edition 14-year-old light whiskey.  This offering is available starting today at their distillery at Blue Sky Ranch for $99.99.

Light whiskey is whiskey distilled higher than 80% abv and up to 95% abv.  Anything distilled above 95% is considered a grain neutral spirit (i.e. vodka).  High West aged this distillate in used barrels, essentially lowering the amount of barrel influence during maturation.

Read the full press release below:

PARK CITY, Utah (March 17, 2016) — Come see the light! High West Distillery, Utah’s first legal distillery since 1870, releases a limited edition 14-Year Light Whiskey. Beginning March 19, this special bottling is available exclusively to visitors at the High West Distillery at Blue Sky Ranch, followed by a roll out at the High West Saloon & Distillery in historic Old Town Park City on April 16.

“At High West, we believe education leads to appreciation so we wanted to shed some light on this rarely discussed type of whiskey,” says High West founder David Perkins. “This is a spirit that’s not likely to be available again for a long time.”

Light whiskey denotes a grain spirit that’s been distilled at a higher proof than a straight whiskey — between 80-95% alcohol by volume (ABV) versus less than 80% ABV respectively. It’s typically used as a component in about 95% of the world’s blended whiskeys. In the U.K., what they call grain whiskey is essentially the same thing as light whiskey.

“This whiskey was distilled at a higher proof on the still, which reduces the heaviness of the flavors, and reveals more floral and fruit subtleties,” said High West master distiller Brendan Coyle. “It was aged in used barrels, as opposed to first-use charred barrels, which lends more elegant complexities with a spirit-forward character.”

High West discovered 100 stunning barrels of light whiskey at MGP made from corn that was distilled between 1999 and 2001, aged in second-fill barrels. That wood aging imparted a traditionally light spirit with lovely vanilla and white chocolate notes, and an intriguing Concord grape overlay—to anything but typical results.

High West encourages you to indulge in this special offering all on its own—neat, with a touch of water, or on the rocks. The 14-Year Light Whiskey will retail for $99.95.