High West Double Rye

Whiskey Review #12: High West Double Rye

Category: Go to

Price: $38

Availability: Year Round-Everywhere  

Proof: 92, 46% abv

Age: 2 years and 16 years

Mashbill: 2 year old- 95% rye, 5% barley. 16 year- 53% rye, 37% corn 

Distillery: Sourced from MGP Distillery of Lawrenceburg, Indiana.

     And, now on to the second installment in my series on rye whiskies. This episode features the High West Double Rye Whiskey. High West is considered to be a “craft whiskey” company based out of Old Town Park City, Utah. The reason that they are considered to be a craft distillery is because they’re involved with innovative concepts regarding the whiskeys they source. These concepts include the small batching of whiskies that you would not normally think about putting together in order to create some truly unique expressions. The folks at High West are sourcing some of the best rye whiskey on mother earth! The Double Rye is just one of their amazing rye’s in the High West lineup.

     The “Double Rye” is a very unique because it combines two rye whiskies with different mashbills. One is a two-year-old rye with a high percent of rye in the mashbill. The other is a sixteen-year-old rye with a lower percent of rye and a fair amount of corn in the mashbill. These two ryes are married together to create a very complex and interesting expression.

     Overall: This is fantastically complex stuff! It hits you with an explosion of unexpected and even exotic flavors. It’s zesty, spicy, sweet and earthy characteristics are separated out in the sip. Sometimes I prefer this to a tightly compact blending of flavors, because I feel that it gives you more of an opportunity to taste each and every note as the sip progresses. The 37% corn in the 16 year old, helps round things out, and adds a touch of sweetness. This is a rye whiskey that can and should be sipped neat. At this price point, I’m going to have to restructure my top five favorite go-to list. Oh yes, it’s making the list at no less than the #2 spot, just under Elmer T. Lee!!! The Colonel gives the High West Double Rye a 9 out of 10! I can’t wait to try some of the other products coming out of High West!