Credit: Lost Cargo
Rendezvous is a limited release rye whiskey from High West, which hits shelves annually in May. While it doesn’t have an age statement on the label, the distillery states that it is a blend of 4-10 year old ryes.
As of 2023, it is made of an undisclosed blend of 95% rye, 5% barley malt from MGP and 80% rye, 20% malted rye distilled by High West. The blend and sources have evolved greatly over the years, starting with a 2011 release that featured 6-year old MGP and 16-year old rye from Barton. At the time, both Double Rye and Rendezvous featured an MGP/Barton blend, with Rendezvous meant to showcase older rye stocks.
Until 2021, Rendezvous Rye was the company’s flagship rye release and was produced year-round. In 2021, it became a limited, seasonal release alongside Campfire and High Country. That year, all three featured special labels painted by Ed Mell.
Rendezvous Rye is also the base whiskey used for the distillery’s annual A Midwinter Night’s Dram release, which adds a period of port finishing to the expression.
Tasting Notes
Tasting notes provided by High West.
Nose
Yellow plum jam on raspberry scones, boysenberry turnover, cinnamon sugar graham crackers, cocoa-dusted orange peels, leather harvesting bag, dried white flowers, morning dew drops on lavender buds
Palate
Raspberry jalapeño jelly on toasted brown bread, clove-infused orange slices, vanilla-poached dates, homemade applesauce with cinnamon sticks, fried dough with powdered sugar, mint tea
Finish
Cherry fruit leather, ginger chews, stone cut oats with cream and golden raisins, fresh cracked pepper
Reviews
The evolving Rendezvous Rye is back in limited edition form, bringing with it a unique and interesting flavor profile, but it has a hard time fully impressing and justifying its price.
Images
2021 limited release artist series label by Ed Mell
Credit: High West
