High West Distillery

“Whiskey has killed more men than bullets, but most men would rather be full of whiskey than bullets.” – either Winston Churchill or Logan Pearsall Smith

We’re gonna stay out West this week and visit another one of my favorites: High West Distillery.

I have had occasion to visit both their main distillery, located at the junction of Utah’s beautiful Wasatch and Uinta Mountain ranges, and their “Saloon,” located in Park City. Yes, another trip.

In fact, on our trip to Utah, the Saloon in Park City was the first place we visited. As we know, I have issues. Located in the heart of this quaint mountain ski town, the Saloon boasts that it is “the world’s first and only ski up gastro distillery.” The place definitely has an Old West vibe. It serves outstanding cocktails featuring their own whiskeys, of course, and the food is absolutely amazing. If this were a food column, I’d wax on, but it’s not, so suffice it to say, if you’re visiting Park City, eat there.

The trip to their large distillery was a wonderful drive through the Wasatch Mountains. Located on the Blue Sky Ranch, this multi-million-dollar facility is truly extraordinary. The building is huge, but looks like an Old West lodge and it sits on a gorgeous ridgeline with breathtaking views of the Uinta Mountains. Can you tell I liked this place? It has a restaurant (didn’t dine there … boo!) as well and a very nice gift shop that sells High West merch and their whiskeys.

Okay, enough travel reminiscing. Let’s talk about their booze.

Many of their whiskeys are actually ryes and most of their bourbons are also high rye. MGP? Of course, but I’m not going to go on about that. Much of the time they blend the sourced ryes with their own distillates. In fact, their website has a complete section on their blending prowess.

The results? Deliciousness! Their 92-proof “High West Bourbon” is a solid, straightforward, whiskey priced at under $25. Its mashbill, interestingly, is 75 to 80 percent corn, which results in a nice corn sweetness, but still has a peppery finish. High pepper notes remain with their other offerings, such as their 92-proof American Prairie bourbon and their 117-proof Cask Strength, which has a delightfully pleasant almond finish. All of these have a price point between $25 and $70.

Then there’s their special stuff. Their 116-proof Bourye is a very popular annual release that is rarely seen on the open market. Alas, I haven’t had an opportunity to try it. It retails, if you can find it for retail, at $125. I’ll snag one someday.

I do have bottles of their “flagship” A Midwinter’s Night’s Dram. Again, a rye, this nearly 100-proof gem is also highly allocated at $125 a bottle. Each year of its release is designated an “Act,” playing along with the Shakespeare shtick. Last year was “Act 13,” and it’s delicious.

Again, not the best at the whole palate description thing. Let me quote from the High West site, “Palate: Marionberry preserves, chocolate dipped cherries, marble rye bread, mochaccino, cinnamon bark, oolong tea, winter pine, smoldering Havana cigar.” That’s a mouthful – literally.

Aside from all of the fancy descriptions, Midwinter’s Night is truly an amazing whiskey that lives up to its name. I can envision (and in fact have) enjoying it on a cold winter’s night sitting by my fireplace. A perfect evening.

Both of these nice bottlings are available for sale right now on High West’s website. One small glitch, for some inexplicable (and probably idiotic) reason, they don’t ship to Indiana. Do you know anyone in Kentucky?

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention their Double Rye aged in Quady Port barrels. This isn’t available at the moment, but I believe it comes around every so often. This is one of my favorite whiskeys of all time. Deep, dark, luxurious, with notes of port (of course), dark chocolate, and baking spices. This, like Midwinter’s Night, is a whiskey to sip, savor, and cherish. If you see a bottle, snag it!

High West offers great bourbons and ryes at very nice prices, except for their special stuff. However, their special stuff is well worth the cost. I’d like to reiterate that if you’re ever near Park City Utah, go visit their distillery or at least the Saloon, you won’t be disappointed.

Until next time, cheers!

Jon Smyrnis is a lifelong Indianapolis area resident. He enjoys traveling, hiking, biking, kayaking, dining out, and, of course, fine cocktails and great bourbons.