High West Campfire

Blind Test: High West Campfire Nose: Smokey, Vicks vaporub/menthol Taste: I’m getting really strong menthol vibes here. Definitely not something I’m used to. Smoke as well. Very flavorful and unique, but not necessarily in a good way. Finish: the finish lasts for awhile, but it is more of those medicinal notes. Overall: I have settled into it a bit, but, while it is certainly my unique, it is not the flavor profile I typically look for in a whiskey. Some may love it though, a d I could see it making a great cocktail. Score: 2.75/5

NOSE Peat, malty sweetness, dried orchard fruit, roasted nuts, caramel, nutmeg light coffee touch medicinal. The Scotch notes dominate the aroma with the rye and bourbon sitting far behind. PALATE Peat, charred nuts, malty sweetness, nuts, caramelized banana, dried fruit, vanilla taffy, baking spice, dried raspberries, nutmeg, and some cocoa. This is a whirlwind of flavor lead by the peaty scotch with the bourbon and rye notes adding complexity. FINISH Long -> Smoke, dried fruit, nuts, caramel, and nutmeg.

Hmm...never thought I’d be saying this but it’s changed and after a bit of research I see the difference is they are using their own distilled juice instead of MGP stock and well...I like the old version better. Maybe it’s an aberrant bottle but this is a little too sweet and unbalanced. That strong backbone is gone and now I’m just getting sugary peat. Not bad but not very interesting and not what I’ve come to expect from these guys.

I could only tag “peaty” once, but it needed more tags. This stuff tastes like i gave a b jibber to a forrest fire of grass clippings. If you like islay scotch you will like this stuff. Otherwise you will think you just chewed a bloody bandaid off a dogs burnt butt hole. This will now be relegated to the back of the bar for guests that i didnt invite and am not particularly fond of.

Batch: 22K18 Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Baking spice, smoke, some caramel. Palate: Clove and cinnamon with more smoke. Finish: Medium length with mild heat. Splash: Caramel from the nose returns. Overall: 7.5/10 - An interesting blend, but the rye spice and scotch smoke overpower any other flavors. A splash of water opens it up a bit.

A heavy mouthfeel with a lot of body. Spicy, with notes of campfire, roasted coffee, dark caramel and baked apple. Long finish, ending on a bittersweet cocoa note. The blend works well, with all three whiskies working in tandem to create a unique whole. The smoke definitely livens things up and adds a mysterious note. Our favorite whiskey of the week, and for a good cause!