2 minute read
High West Distillery is starting the year with a statement piece. Cask Strength is a new limited-edition blend of straight bourbon whiskeys that leans bold without being reckless, designed to satisfy longtime High West fans while still being approachable for anyone ready to step into higher-proof territory.
This release lands at a pivotal moment for the brand, following Distilling Director Isaac Winter’s Master Distiller Certification, one of the most respected credentials in American whiskey. It shows in the glass. Built on High West’s high-rye blending philosophy and informed by their Bourye approach, Cask Strength balances rye-driven spice with the richness of malted barley, creating a bourbon that’s layered, expressive, and unapologetically full-bodied.
The blend pulls from straight bourbons aged between 6 and 20 years, all finished in new, charred American white oak barrels. The result is a small-batch whiskey with depth and structure, bottled non-chill filtered at a robust 58.5% ABV (117 proof), exactly as it came from the barrel.
On the nose, it opens with butter-poached green apples and candied Meyer lemon, followed by cornbread drizzled with honey, brioche toast points, crushed walnuts, and allspice. There’s an earthy backbone too—fresh hay, sarsaparilla, and the unmistakable scent of new oak.
The palate is where it earns its name. Sweet plantains dusted with cinnamon lead into dried apricots, peach crumble, and homemade toffee. Earl Grey Crème tea, nutmeg, rose, hickory, and seasoned oak add complexity without tipping into excess. The finish is long and polished, carrying notes of kumquat, white chocolate, and a velvety, lingering spice.
Cask Strength is bottled at 117 proof, non-chill filtered, and carries an SRP of $69.99. It’s available nationwide in limited quantities, with direct purchase options through the High West Saloon and the High West website beginning January 12.
For a sub-$70 cask-strength bourbon with this level of age, blending precision, and character, this release feels less like a splurge and more like a smart move.
