whiskeyfortheages, Author at Whiskey for the Ages

High West Bourbon Review

Posted on 05-June-202205-June-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Hannah’s High West Bourbon Review

Original review written May 31, 2022

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

An introductory bourbon, if there ever was one. Balanced sweet, unaggressive alcohol, affordable price. Nothing to complain about, and a good intro to the line. 88/100

VITALS:

– Made In: Indiana, Kentucky, Utah (known widely to be Utah, USA)
– Distiller: undisclosed (MGPI, High West and speculated to be additionally sourced from Barton, Four Roses, and/or Heaven Hill)
– Classification: Blend of Straight Bourbons
– Age: 2 yrs. (plus a blend of older bourbons)
– Mash Bill: undisclosed (Blend of 3 or more straight bourbons)
– Casks: undisclosed char
– Barrel Entry Proof: undisclosed
– ABV: 46% (92 proof)
– Price: $39.95 USD in Idaho 2022

Visit highwest.com/products/bourbon for more information

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

I enjoyed the spirit neat from a Glencairn glass with sister, as well as father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.

Check out his review of this bourbon here!

SETTING:

Have this bourbon with some flan dessert to bring out the sweetness of the bourbon and the depth of what flan can be. Everything will melt together well, I suspect, while making you feel torn between taking a bite… or taking a sip. Which one, which one?

Photo by Max Griss on Unsplash

NOSE:

This smells sweet like light brown sugar and cinnamon dusted, ginger shortbread cookies. There’s very subtle fruit like figs here, wrapped in pastry like that all-too-familiar fig newton snack (which I personally enjoy). There’s a dark berry fruit leather as well, but I couldn’t begin to pin down an exact fruit. Dusty, dried corn grain trails the aromas at the very end, along with a syrupy essence that is both rich and on the spicier side rather than an upfront sweet. The alcohol is nonexistent, but there is an ember of heat and wood smoke to offer depth.

PALATE:

– Mouth Feel: Oily and viscous. It matches the sweetness of the bourbon’s flavors well.
– Balance: There’s a base of wood that sweet successfully plays off of, without overwhelming the palate.
– Visual: Honey in color, this leaves many droplets falling from a defined crown, and wow, do they cling to the side of the glass.

– Taste: The cinnamon, ginger cookies actually are present from the nose here on the first draw of the palate! It even comes with a bit of bite/crispiness to lighten the sip. There’s a bitterness that catches the flavors like a net just after the cookie, like not-yet ripe grapes and cherries. The bitterness eases as a plum takes over and offers acidity and extra sweetness. More draws find an almost flan-like flavor with vanilla custard and light caramel drizzled and set on top. It’s a unique flavor to bourbon that I have not ever found before, but I find that I quite like it.

The alcohol remains mild here as well, just as it was on the nose. The wood is textured but not necessarily deep; it offers a foundation, nonetheless. A Kentucky chew brings out more cake-like sweetness without greatly offending the alcohol. With that cake surprisingly comes more grain, rounding out the bourbon well.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Medium. There is warmth here, but it goes a bit unnoticed unless you’re truly looking for it. Not much to say for aftertaste.
– Between Sips: Oak and extremely light vanilla linger between sips, but they fade quickly and are truly negligible.

– No More: It isn’t the most complex of bourbons, but it is really growing on me, and I’m happy with it. It’s easy to sip, easy to hold, and it has balanced sweetness, which isn’t always easy to achieve.

The empty Glencairn is a deep sawdust, perhaps a little waterlogged, but distinct enough to smell mostly fresh and welcoming.

WORTH THE PRICE?

In a bourbon world of growing prices by the month, $40 seems almost entry level bourbon, these days. That being said, I do most certainly contend that it is worth the $40, and it’s one I look forward to having again. A great value, and I think it’s a good introduction to bourbon for someone who may be anxious about the proof. Even as someone who has had many different bourbons, it provides an originality that still proves interesting. Note: Don’t let the lack of American Prairie Bourbon label fool you – this is that same stuff :).

HIGH WEST BOURBON REVIEW RATING: 88/100

Click to see Hannah’s rating process

Click 88/100 to access other whiskies with this rating.

Want to hear my thoughts on other High West products?
–> Midwinter Night’s Dram Rye

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James E Pepper Single Barrel Rye BWE Pick

Posted on 30-May-202230-May-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Brian’s James E Pepper Single Barrel Rye BWE Private Pick Review:

reviewed 24-May-2022

JAMES E PEPPER SINGLE BARREL RYE BWE PRIVATE PICK ABSTRACT:

In January 2022, one of the moderators of Boise Whiskey Enthusiasts (BWE) Facebook group (of which I am a member) posted, “It’s a wee bit premature to talk details, but [we] are working on a barrel pick … a James E Pepper Rye … What we need to know is how many people will be interested?“

A month later, Hannah and I were given a two ounce sample, thieved from the barrel the guys were considering. We shared the sample and then prepared a quick appraisal for the group.

One Ounce Sample Review Summary:
Overall, this is a great rye, although just an ounce is hardly enough for a fair assessment. If this sample is representative of what is in the the barrel our group purchases, I am happy to give my recommendation.
_{Complete sample assessment notes are posted at the end of this review.}

JAMES E PEPPER SINGLE BARREL RYE BWE PRIVATE PICK BOURBON REVIEW:

From the first nosing and sip then on to the finish and empty glass, James E Pepper SiB Rye BWE Pick (JEP SiB Rye BWE Pick) is a fine pour. Its freshness is accompanied by some nice heat and subtle touches of stone fruit, spice, faint sweets and wood. The aromas and flavors are well blended and play well together. I am happy to have backups in the bunker to share with friends and family. Kudos and thank you to the BWE selection team.

JAMES E PEPPER SINGLE BARREL RYE BWE PRIVATE PICK VITAL STATS:

Category: Single Barrel Straight Rye, Private Select Barrel
Distillery: DSP-IN-15023, Ross & Squibb Distillery (MGP’s Consumer Facing Brand)
Bottled: DSP-KY-5, Old Pepper Distillery
Mash Bill: 100% rye (both raw and malted)
Barrels: 18-month air seasoned Kentucky Oak
Barrel Char: #3
Barrel entry proof: unpublished
Age: 4 years
Cask: 1239
Selected by: BWE
ABV: 55% (110 Proof)
NABCA CSC #: 26435
Price: $54.95 (May 2022, Idaho)

Learn more at James E Pepper Distillery and
James E Pepper SiB Barrel Pick pdf.

ENJOYMENT METHOD FOR THE REVIEW:

Alternate pours, from a newly opened bottle, were added into three Glencairns. My daughters and I enjoyed the rye neat for this review.

Check out Hannah’s review of this rye here!

JAMES E PEPPER SINGLE BARREL RYE BWE PRIVATE PICK NOSE:

The first inhale of JEP SiB Rye BWE Pick brings quite an alcohol nip. Upon acclimation, I sense faint barrel tannins and fresh herbalness. As I continue to nose, I smell tart but subtle apple mixed with currants and an undefined stone fruit. Then the spices … Allspice, ginger, white pepper, and rye, along with yeasty bread notes. While the sweets are few, what is there wafts in as light vanilla, simple syrup, caramel and cashews. And although there is not much wood here, I do get a bit of oak accompanied by faint pine. I like the way this rye smells – fresh and light backed with some nice heat.

JAMES E PEPPER SINGLE BARREL RYE BWE PRIVATE PICK PALATE:

JEP SiB Rye BWE Pick has a distinct alcohol bite owing to its rye content and relatively high ABV. With each sip, the bite smooths to an easy herbal burn. Only then can I taste dark stone fruit nectar, plum and plump prunes. The dark fruits are complimented by allspice, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, and rye. I also taste rich vanilla, caramelized sugar, and dark toffee. As noted on the nose this pour is fresh and light with only scant amounts of seasoned old oak and hazy barrel char.

Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
While JEP SiB Rye BWE Pick gives my tongue a mild tickle it is still viscous and relatively easy to hold. After each sip, the liquid curtain breaks into fast falling legs, transporting the dregs back to the flame colored pool. With a good swirl, a well defined and solid ring forms, then gives up a few clinging drops to make an inverted crown.

JAMES E PEPPER SINGLE BARREL RYE BWE PRIVATE PICK FINISH:

JEP SiB Rye BWE Pick offers a warm bordering on hot medium long herbal finish. As each sip fades away I sense dark stone fruit nectar, allspice, ginger, pepper and rye blended in rich vanilla, caramelized sugar, and dark toffee. There are a few slightly bitter hazelnuts here too, but they’re not off-putting. As noted above, this rye is fresh with only faint notes of seasoned and toasted old oak. And when the final drops are downed, the empty Glencairn smells of simple syrup and dry oak sawdust. This is a solid pour.

MY RATING: 90/100

Will I buy this whiskey again? YES (if I could)
Our JEP SiB Rye BWE Pick follows on last year’s bottling of our Smooth Ambler Old Scout BWE Private Pick. Like I mentioned in its review, this new bottling is only available to BWE members. These are examples of why one should snap up Director’s cuts, Private Barrels, Private Picks, and/or Store Picks whenever they are found.
_{Click to read Brian’s scoring process.}

Click 90/100 to access other whiskies with this score.

WHISKEY TRAITS, FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:

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SAMPLE ASSESSMENT NOTES:

James E Pepper Single Barrel Rye BWE Pick

Posted on 30-May-202230-May-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Hannah’s James E Pepper Single Barrel Rye BWE Pick

Original review written May 24, 2022

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

A great rye with plenty of complexity and intrigue from several different flavor profile characteristics – from fruit to spice to earth, this has it all. Happy to have it open in the collection. 95/100

VITALS:

– Made In: Indiana and Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Ross & Squibb Distillery/MGP/Old Pepper Distillery DSP-KY-5
– Classification: Single Barrel Straight Rye; Prive Select Barrel
– Age: 4yrs
– Mash Bill: Rye=100% (both raw and malted)
– Casks: 12-month air seasoned Kentucky Oak; Char #3
– Cask #: 1239
– Selected by BWE (Boise Whiskey Enthusiast’s Facebook Group)
– ABV: 55% (110 proof)
– Price: $54.95 USD in Idaho 2022

Visit jamesepepper.distilleryspirits.com for more information

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

I enjoyed the spirit neat from a Glencairn glass with sister, as well as father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.

Check out his review for this rye here!

SETTING:

I imagine James E Pepper Single Barrel Rye would taste that much more phenomenal with a light and fresh cake to coax even more of the sweetness that this rye has. The cake may have honey, vanilla, and floral tones and that would pair well here. It exacerbates the summery brightness of both rye and cake and makes everything warm and the sipper quick to reach for another taste.

Photo by Hayley Maxwell on Unsplash

NOSE:

Malt and rye grain wash across the palate with hazelnut and light vanilla following close behind. Despite being so rye forward, there is already a noticeable complexity to this, with other sweet flavors like honey and flaky pastry with sugar crystals dusted on top. And there are deeper, earthier tones to match this sweetness like leather and caramelized/charred oak. I can’t find much for fruit sweetness aside perhaps from a dark fruit/berry nectar or a cherry jam preserve.

This rye may be 110 proof, however, the alcohol is incredibly mild and doesn’t sting at the nose at all. It’s a rye that invites deep draws and falling into the flavors offered.

PALATE:

James E Pepper Single Barrel Rye BWE Pick

– Mouth Feel: Viscous with a bit of grit to it, making the flavor linger and linger.
– Balance: Complex. I don’t know if it’s the proof influence but more and more seems to emerge, all in balance.
– Visual: Flame in color, this falls in long, thick legs from an irregular ring.

– Taste: Sweet vanilla with freshness trailing is the immediate impression. It’s floral yet buttery like a summery cake batter with even some tropical fruit kick like pineapple. Rye spice and grain mixes with a woody caramel that is just shy of being burnt – at the peak of its sugary performance. Accompanying this rye is more of the powdered ginger from the nose, and a pinch of white pepper. Cherries exist at the back of the palate, mixed with a syrup that deepens and enrichens the other existing flavors all the more.

The complexity abounds, and all the while, the alcohol offers just the right amount of kick for the flavors to play off of. This certainly does have a bite to it, and I can tell that it does want to give me a Kentucky Hug if I’d let it. (I like that.) When I give it a Kentucky chew, a brininess comes forward with a subtle fruit leather and light caramel to soothe the burn.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Long. The heat lingers at the back of the throat along with a good aftertaste.
– Between Sips: Warm caramel, cherries with a raspy rye – yum, yum, and yum.

– No More: This grows more complex and enjoyable the further into the glass I get, with the balance showing more and more maturity. I am thoroughly enjoying this rye, and I’m quite glad to have it in the collection.

The empty Glencairn is buttery oak and pecan and simple syrup/light caramel. It’s a different kind of empty glass that I’m used to, but it is entirely delicious.

WORTH THE PRICE?

Absolutely. This has complexity, depth, and heat, and it’s everything I could hope for in a rye. If you get the chance to buy any Single Barrel Rye, give this a try. You won’t be disappointed. And even if you’re only a bourbon drinker and trying to get into ryes, this may be a good gateway into doing so.

JAMES E PEPPER SINGLE BARREL RYE BWE PICK RATING: 95/100

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