High West American Prairie Bourbon Barrel Select (Black Label)

(2022 release / barrel 19795 / bottle 144) An elegant, Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey by David & Jane Perkins founders of High West Distillery in Park City, Utah; aged in new, white American oak; before being finished for 8 months in a peated whiskey barrel before being bottled at 50.9% ABV. It is dedicated to the American Prairie Reserve's mission to preserve the nature & wildlife in the American West. It has an aromatic birth with notes of grain, fruits, wood & spices; while a rich & complex life adds notes of sweet corn, honey, vanilla & caramel apple; that led to a balanced death of medium length with notes of oak, peat smoke & sea spray. January / August 2022

Custard cinnamon vanilla nose with some oak, cherry and a hint of spicy rye seriousnes. Creme brûlée continues on the tongue with a creamy almost eggy thickness. Maple syrup over waffles with strawberries on the side. The vermouth in the Manhattan barrels kicks in. The spicy, tannic quality disappears for a while… …then shows up on the spicy warming berry finish. This is very good and i keep returning to it. Best comps so far are a Bulleit barrel proof, Barrell Batch 29, and Barrell private selection (D88i). Pretty good company. If i see it again i’ll buy another. Manhattan Barrel finish.

Aroma is sweet and heavy with a solid oak character but a bit of water adds a butteriness to it that takes this to the next level and makes me want a room that smells like this in my house – it’s warm and inviting like fresh baked goods; Palate hits the same, but picks up a bit of menthol as it opens and, with water, a larger dose of brown sugar and cocoa wafts through on the heavy spice currents; Finish is sweet and oaky and spicy and a wonderful experience to end with.

On the nose: toffee and vanilla On the palate: an oaky honey flavor, with a hint of nuttiness. Pairs together well. The finish: The honey becomes more prevalent with maybe a small hint of of fresh fruit, possibly blackberry Overall: a very smooth bourbon with subtly sweet flavors. Recommend a pickup if you’re looking for a bourbon thats not too harsh and an easy sipping experience.

Smell is light, thin and sweet with hint of lemon? Tastes sweet, very mellow, weak, like something is missing, or I’m missing something. Salty, with maybe a hint of caramel. Not bad for the price.

Beautiful bourbon. Butterscotch and caramel notes on nose and followed by a heavy warm finish. Wonderful winter bourbon Bottle 147 Barrel 26008 ABV 51.5