High West Bourye (2017 Release)

Part of a flight: Angel’s Envy Bourbon Port Finish (Batch 59I) at 43.3% ABV High West Bourye (Batch 17L21) at 46% ABV Prichard’s Double Barreled at 45% ABV The winner. This stuff just gets better with time and water. The foundation is a very well-aged 10 year old bourbon. You get that leathery tobacco, cinnamon powder, and red fruits. The ryes are even more aged – a blend 12-14 years old. That takes the young rye edge, which I don’t like, away. It adds some mint and greenness to the bourbon, and never steals the spotlight. I also get some wine notes, which emerges in the absence of wine finishing, as far as I can tell. This is very similar to High West’s bespoke Midwinter. With water, this opens up to reveal white pepper and dark chocolate in a dynamic, lovely finish that lingers for quite a while. In Maryland, this tends to be cheaper than in other parts of the country. I found this on sale for $72, and it’s a steal at that price. MARK: 93/100

For some people, this is a sensational, first-rate dram. I wouldn't go quite that far, although it's not unfairly priced at around $80 (and I see it a few places online for closer to $60-65). The nose is almost hoppy in its herbal, vegetal rye-derived freshness, with some vanilla lending some sweeter notes. The rye is definitely dominating the blend from the outset. The palate demonstrates more hybrid characteristics, with an odd tinned pineapple note, but over time the rye again seems to win out and resemble High West Rendezvous Rye. The finish features barrel char and a great combination of rye spice and bourbon richness.

2.5 stars. Ok. I’m being unfair. 2.8, maybe 3? I like bourbon. I like rye. I don’t like this bourye. Nice in premise and on paper, but application doesn’t please my pallet (and I’m pretty sure it’s still a fully-sourced and then blended product). Medicinal hint on nose - like all High West products. Not very complex bourbon up front. Smooth rye-ish finish. Not worth ANYWHERE NEAR the $80+ they charge (here in MD). Look elsewhere in the (relative) price point (esp Blanton’s, Macallan 12, Angel’s Envy Rye, even Lot 40; Whistlepig Farmstock isn’t fully sourced anymore and is about $100) to put your hard-earned money to use.

Batch no. 17L21. Cherry pie with cinnamon for the nose. There is some heat on the blend I don't get from it's parts. The palate is tart cherry, wood, and the spicy notes from the rye. The finish is long and spicy with cinnamon and wood notes. It's a great dram that is tasty and interesting; but generally overpriced due to its limited batches. Worth a try if you have the budget though. Some water brings out a lot of sweetness and brings the cherry pie out from start to finish. The spicy rye notes dominate the finish on this visit.

The nose is a great mix of bourbon sweetness plus rye spice. This is more than just the rye you get in a bourbon mashbill, it is distinctly rye. Behind it all is a vanilla cake sweetness with touches of brown sugar and molasses. The palate is somewhat spicy with a burst of creamy oak and rye spice filling the mouth with somewhat of a chew. It is incredibly smooth as it also offers up notes of ripe fruit and floral rye spice. The finish is medium with lingering oak and vanilla, as rye spice quickly fades.

"• A blend of straight Bourbon and Rye whiskeys aged from 10 to 14 years. • Straight Rye Whiskey: 95% rye, 5% barley malt from MGP & 53% rye, 37% corn, 10% barley malt from MGP • Straight Bourbon Whiskey: 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% barley malt from MGP" It starts strong, with a good aroma (a lot of licorice) and flavor, but after sitting for a bit it loses some of that and can become a bit dull. This is a good solid whiskey, overall, but just costs too much for what it delivers.