High West Double Rye

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 46% | Chill filtration: No | Colouring: No

Special Features:

Double Rye brings together two different straight rye whiskeys: a younger column-distilled whiskey contributes pronounced spice, while the older pot-still whiskey from High West balances it with caramel sweetness and woody vanilla notes. Both components have matured for at least two years.

The grain recipes differ considerably. The MGP whiskey uses 95% rye and 5% malted barley; High West uses 80% rye and 20% malted rye. Maturation takes place in new, charred American white oak barrels. Ginger biscuits and juniper add to the character of this bottling.

The whiskey is bottled at 46% without chill filtration or added colouring. Its spicy character also lends itself to classic cocktails such as the Manhattan and Old Fashioned.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: On the nose, mint and dark chocolate mingle with cloves, allspice and liquorice root. Botanical notes reminiscent of gin accompany them.
• Palate: On the palate, bold rye spice gives way to light herbal notes. Menthol, eucalyptus, lemon and ginger tea meet wildflower honey.
• Finish: On the finish, warm cinnamon candy notes gradually turn into a gentle, spicy sweetness. A hint of anise lingers at the end.

Distillery/Bottler:

David and Jane Perkins founded High West in Park City, Utah, in 2006; distillation began in 2007. David had previously worked as a biochemist and discovered parallels with his former work during a visit to a Kentucky distillery. High West began in a historic stable and garage building with a small still. The distillery on the Blue Sky site followed in 2015.

High West operates as both a distillery and a blending house, combining its own whiskeys with sourced spirits. Its sensory team assesses each component's distillate character, maturation influence and distinctive aromas. It uses these assessments to develop blends and reviews the core bottlings annually. After the components have been combined, the team also checks the finished blend. For Double Rye, MGP supplies one of the two components, while High West distils the pot-still whiskey and is responsible for the blend.

Facts: