Credit: Lost Cargo
High Country is a limited release American single malt whiskey from High West, which hits shelves annually in December. While it doesn’t have an age statement on the label, the distillery states that its components are aged between 2-9 years.
It is one of the first whiskeys released by High West that is distilled and blended entirely in-house, without any components sourced from other distilleries. Initially released as a Utah-only limited release, it now joins Rendezvous Rye and Campfire as a nationwide, seasonal limited release. In 2021, all three featured special labels painted by Ed Mell.
According to the distillery, High Country is “distilled ‘on-the-grain.’ This means that we leave the grain in during fermentation and distillation, instead of filtering it out. In the tradition of American and Scottish whiskey making, we use both freshly charred and second-use oak barrels during the maturation stage.”
High Country has used several different mashbills or blends and the second-use barrels have varied. For example, the 2019 and 2020 Utah-exclusive editions of High Country included a component that was aged in used French oak port wine barrels.2Whisky Advocate – Exclusive: High West Debuts High Country American Single Malt Whiskey The first national release in 2021 instead used to use Oloroso sherry barrels3Maxim – High West Launches New Single Malt Whiskey.
Tasting Notes
Tasting notes provided by High West. 4Tasting Notes
Nose
Fig jam on toast points, whole grain waffles with honey drizzle, cracked walnut shells, dried wildflowers, cedar
Palate
Honeyed cereal, crème caramel custard, almond macaroons, toasted biscuits with herbal jelly, subtle banana taffy
Finish
Cola, chocolate wafer, ginger marmalade
Reviews
Using 100% in-house distilled whiskey, High West High Country has a hard time differentiating itself from the burgeoning American single malt market.
Batches
Images
2021 limited release artist series label by Ed Mell
