Category: Bourbon Whiskey

High West Bourbon

Posted on by whiskeyfortheages

Brian’s High West Bourbon Review:

reviewed 31-May-2022

HIGH WEST BOURBON REVIEW:

High West Bourbon (High West) formerly known as High West American Prairie Bourbon is said to have gone through changes since its first release. This review is representative of what is on store shelves as of this posting.

The aromas and flavors of High West are in balance with one another. Each mouthful is fresh and clean, gives my mouth a mild tickle yet yet has a silky feel. The aromas of dusty grain, dark fruits, baking spice and dark fruits pass to the palate and through to the finish. At $40 MSRP, this is a pleasing pour.

HIGH WEST BOURBON VITAL STATS:
High West Bourbon

Category: Blend of Straight Bourbons
Regions: Indiana, Kentucky, Utah
Distillery: undisclosed (MGPI, High West and speculated to be additionally sourced from Barton, Four Roses, and/or Heaven Hill)
Producer: High West Distillery
Mash Bill: undisclosed (Blend of 3 or more straight bourbons)
Barrel Char: undisclosed
Barrel entry proof: undisclosed
Age: 2 years old (plus a blend of older bourbons)
ABV: 46% (92 Proof)
Batch: 22B25
NABCA CSC #: 18604
Price: $39.95 (Idaho, May 2020)

… [W]e have recently updated our packaging, you may receive an old bottled labeled American Prairie Bourbon. The whiskey inside hasn’t changed, so enjoy! 
— High West Distillery

NOTE: David Perkins, High West’s founder, blender and chemist sold the distillery operations to Constellation Brands in 2016. In addition to labeling and line changes, High West distillate is now used in the blend to meet demand. While his name still appears on the bottle label, Perkins joined Minnesota’s O’Shaughnessy Distilling as “Liquid Collaborator and Advisor” in May 2021.

ENJOYMENT METHOD FOR THE REVIEW:

Alternate pours, equaling about four ounces, were added into three Glencairns. My daughters and I enjoyed the bourbon neat for this review.

Check out Hannah’s review for this bourbon!

HIGH WEST BOURBON NOSE:

When brought to my nose, High West seems dry with a faint potpourri of fruit tree blossoms and dusty grain. I also sense fresh orange zest with some dark raisins and figs. There is a baking spice aroma here too which comes in the form of cinnamon, candied ginger and rye biscuits. Other than vanilla bean notes, a bit of burnt caramel, and dark hazelnut toffee this is less sweet than a traditional bourbon. However most prevalent is the scent of air dried hazy oak, musty leather and an earthy depth.

HIGH WEST BOURBON PALATE:

High West tastes herbal with a potpourri of dry corn and dusty grain. I get a sensation of apricot blended with dark dried fruit then mixed with cinnamon, ginger, pepper, and rye. The sweetness is dark as well, with notes of bitter dark chocolate, vanilla extract and like I sensed on the nose, dark, hazelnut toffee. The foundation for these flavors dry and hazy oak, a bit of barrel char and old leather.

High West Bourbon

Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
High West’s aromas and flavors are in balance with one another. Each mouthful is warm, silken, creamy and easy to hold. I to get a mild mouth tickle, but this is fresh and clean. As I work the liquid within the glass, swirling, sipping and tipping, long clinging legs stretch to the honey pool then break into many small rain droplets.

HIGH WEST BOURBON FINISH:

High West Bourbon has a medium-long and dry finish with a bit of a bite. Although much fainter, the herbal aromas and flavors of dry corn and dusty grain, apricot, cinnamon, pepper, rye add to the warmth. As the flavors fade, dark honey and vanilla peak in, but only for a moment, and then they drift on as well. And when gone, the empty Glencairn smells of dry old oak and leather.

MY RATING: 87/100

Will I buy this whiskey again? YES
High West will not be a bourbon I need to have in my bunker but it would be a nice diversion to have once in a while.
Click to read Brian’s scoring process.

Click 87/100 to access other whiskies with this score.

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

WHISKEY TRAITS, FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:
High West Bourbon
High West Bourbon

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Individual Whiskey Reviews

High West Bourbon Review

Posted on 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:
High West Bourbon Review

– 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:
High West Bourbon Review

– 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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Hannah’s Whiskey Reviews
Whiskey Reviews

James E Pepper Single Barrel Rye BWE Pick

Posted on 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:
James E Pepper Single Barrel Rye BWE Pick

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.

James E Pepper Single Barrel Rye BWE Pick

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:
James E Pepper Single Barrel Rye BWE Pick
James E Pepper Single Barrel Rye BWE Pick

Back to …

Brian’s Whiskey Reviews
Individual Whiskey Reviews

SAMPLE ASSESSMENT NOTES: