High West has never been one to follow the beaten path, and its latest release, the High Country American Single Malt, is a testament to that pioneering spirit. Distilled and blended in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, this year’s expression arrives at a historic moment—just as the TTB formally recognizes American single malt as an official whiskey category in the U.S.
Aged between four to eight years, this whiskey is a high-elevation, high-character beast, featuring layers of flavor that push the boundaries of traditional American single malts. Each sip is a journey through rich textures and deep, warming complexity, thanks to a blend aged in both new and used charred white American oak barrels, with finishing touches in French oak Ruby Port, Oloroso Sherry, and PX Sherry barrels.
Tasting Notes:
- On the Nose: A wild blend of wildflower honey, golden raisins, lemon peel, and chamomile, followed by an intriguing mix of sourdough French toast, roasted Brazil nuts, and a mossy wooden bridge over a babbling brook—yes, it’s as evocative as it sounds.
- Palate: Rich, layered toffee leads the charge, with bursts of ripe cantaloupe, graham cracker, crème caramel, dried hay, puffed cereal, cocoa nibs, and leather.
- Finish: It lingers with the bright zest of fresh-picked kumquats and the deep, nutty satisfaction of maple pecan pie.
How to Drink It
This is not a whiskey to be buried in a cocktail. High West’s High Country American Single Malt is best enjoyed neat or with a few drops of water to awaken its full complexity. The distillery suggests sipping it while taking in a magnificent western vista, a nod to the rugged beauty of the mountains where it was born.
Availability
This limited-release single malt is available now throughout Utah for $79.99 per bottle. You can find it at the High West General Store in Old Town Park City, High West Distillery on Blue Sky Ranch in Wanship, or at UT state liquor stores—if you’re fast enough.
