High West Bourye (2018 Release)

I tried this at Whiskyfest SF but I'd had a few already. Pretty sure I liked it but...here's a sober taste. Nose: Presents as very sweet with a traditional high rye bourbon nose of vanilla, dark caramelized sugars, and very heavy apple. As I get more of the nose I start to get some lightly herbal rye notes and a little bit of fresh baked sourdough. Flavor: More vanilla and dark sugars with quite a bit of oak from all of those age stated whiskeys that were blended in. Some grassy rye notes and a little bit of toasted peanuts in the background. Presents as what it is: a blend of rye and bourbon. Finish: Medium long, gets pretty herbal with quite a bit of mint and black pepper. Some rye spice but not as much as I'd expect. A little drying oaky note towards the very end. Overall this is a nice whiskey with the herbal notes from the rye offset nicely by the sweet nutty ones from the bourbon. Comes across a lot like a Maryland style rye (usually around 51% rye and heavy corn) like Sagamore but the high age does wonders for the complexity and dark sugar notes.

“You got bourbon in my rye!” “No, you got rye in my bourbon!” After finding this slightly discounted at a local shop, I decided to dive in the realm of bourbon/rye blends: Nose features honey, wintergreen, vanilla, clove, white pepper, and cinnamon. Overall aroma is soft. Palate opens with nutmeg, clove, pear, and a light biscuity sweetness not unlike like a scone. Mid-palate has tea leaf, cocoa, and cinnamon. Eases nicely into the finish. Very well balanced. Finish is lengthy for a sub 100 proof, with lingering mint, pepper, and vanilla (interesting combo) Mouthfeel is light and airy. Delicate and complex, I found this one to be pretty satisfying and I would say it did succeed in bringing in the best elements of both whiskey styles. At the $75 I paid for it, (it’s usually $85/$90 in my area) it’s a little pricey to be a rebuy for a 94 proof in my opinion, but I’m going to keep the 4.0 rating anyway due to how much I did enjoy what was in the bottle.

A generous taste courtesy of Pie Chef Guy. I'm going to start by saying I really like this. The nose is quite decadent with notes of vanilla custard, nutty tapioca and just a touch cardboard (and I mean that in a good way, kind of like the smell of a pizza box without the pizza). The taste is just amazing. It's very smooth and reminds me of a blackberry cheesecake with an undertone of oak. The finish is brief, consisting of a sweet berry-like fall off.

Simply excellent. Every instant in my mind the High West brand starts to slowly develop the hazy grainy glow of fondly regarded ex-pioneers who are now comfortable established and content with the already great things them hath wrought it seems I am jolted back the happy sometimes-reality by excellence such as this. The blend, the mouthfeel…it’s better than mangos even.

Greensboro Buyers Club tasting via @ridethalightin. This blend is nothing short of incredible. Way too expensive, but great none the less. Great bourbon flavor and great rye notes. It is different than just a high rye bourbon. It is really better than the sum of it's parts IMO. Try it at a bar, or like I did... borrow a pour.

You could present this as a token of goodwill to the Eloi, and they'd go to war against the morlocks over it. Seriously, make sure this isn't in the seat of your time machine. Blood will be spilled. There's some good rye spice right up front. It's silky smooth. Cinnamon and maple round it all out. Damn good.