4 minute read
If you know, you know. High West Distillery has been quietly producing some of the most interesting American whiskeys on the market, and their Bourye release is the one bottle that collectors and casual sippers alike circle on the calendar each year. The 2026 edition has arrived, and after spending some time with it, I can tell you this: it lives up to the hype.
For the uninitiated, Bourye is exactly what it sounds like: a blend of straight bourbon and straight rye whiskey, all aged a minimum of 10 years, with some components stretching up to 19 years old. It is a limited national release, and at $124.99 SRP, it sits in that sweet spot where you are paying for genuinely aged, well-crafted whiskey without venturing into absurd territory.
What Makes the 2026 Release Different
This year, High West made a deliberate decision to bump the ABV up to 50.5% (101 proof). It is not a gimmick. When whiskey sits in a barrel for over a decade, it develops a richness and depth of flavor that can handle more proof without losing its composure. The team at High West re-evaluated Bourye specifically to let that extended aging shine through, and the result is a whiskey that feels bolder and more expressive while still maintaining the balance and approachability the blend is known for.
There is no chill filtration and no added flavoring here. What you taste is what the barrels and the blend created on their own. In a nod to the jackalope, Park City’s most charming mythical trickster, this release is meant to bring something unexpected and extraordinary to your glass. Mission accomplished.
Breaking Down the Blend
The mash bill for Bourye 2026 is a multi-layered affair. On the bourbon side, you have two MGP-sourced recipes: one at 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% barley malt, and another at 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley. The rye component is equally complex, featuring a 95% rye and 5% barley malt whiskey from MGP alongside an 80% rye and 20% malted rye whiskey distilled at High West’s own facility. That last component is significant. It means High West’s own distillate is now playing a role in one of their most prestigious releases, and you can taste the craft in it.
What It Tastes Like
On the nose: This is where Bourye starts telling its story. You will pick up candied lemon and apricot jam spread over shortbread, with caramel macaron sweetness lingering underneath. There is a wonderful spice element that reminds me of pfäffernüsse cookies around the holidays, plus toasted cinnamon, dried ginger, and something I can only describe as a springtime meadow in the Alps. It sounds poetic because it smells poetic.
On the palate: This is where the 101 proof really earns its keep. Grilled peaches and orange blossom lead the way, followed by a wonderful chocolate-covered haystack note that sounds odd on paper but works beautifully in the glass. There is soft molasses biscuit, brown sugar bacon (yes, really), black licorice, sarsaparilla, lavender, warm brown leather, and an underlying warmth that evokes a rustic log cabin. The complexity here is staggering for how approachable it all feels.
The finish: Sticky toffee pudding with ginger tea. If that does not make you want to pour a glass immediately, I am not sure what will. It is long, warming, and satisfying in the way that only well-aged whiskey can deliver.
| Proof / ABV | 101 Proof / 50.5% ABV |
| Aging | Minimum 10 years (10–19 year old whiskeys) |
| SRP | $124.99 |
| Availability | National Limited Release |
| Filtration | No Chill Filtration, No Flavor Added |
| Distillery | High West Distillery, Park City, Utah |
How to Drink It
High West’s official recommendation is one I can fully get behind: Bourye is best enjoyed around a campfire while looking at the Milky Way. Sip it straight or with a small splash of water to open things up. Skip the ice on this one. The toffee and spice notes deserve room temperature, and adding ice would mute the very complexity that makes this bottle special.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Bourye is one of the more impressive limited releases I have tasted this year. High West continues to prove that blending is an art form, and the decision to push the proof higher was the right call. At $124.99, it is not an everyday pour, but it is absolutely worth seeking out for your collection or for that next special occasion. Just make sure the occasion involves a campfire and a clear sky.
Cheers.
