Daniel Davis
High West Bourbon
High West Bourbon is a rebranding of the company’s American Prairie Bourbon. This bottle is from Batch No. 23A13. The company states that its blend hasn’t changed during the transition; a blend of straight bourbons aged from 2 to 13 years, with 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% barley malt from MGP being the disclosed components.
Nose
The mellow aroma begins with caramel, melted butter, and fresh cut apple at the forefront. Notes of vanilla and light spicy cinnamon follow, adding to the complexity. It presents as a classic “bourbon” scent, yet slightly tweaked, offering hints of rye. The aroma is comforting and inviting.
Palate
The execution of the palate is straightforward, though light in intensity. Oak, vanilla, and spice are the main players, all providing a nice roundness with a light buttery viscosity and orange zest pop.
Finish
The finish largely consists of dry oak, toasted nuts, and spicy cinnamon. It’s well received, though not enough to take this whiskey to another level.
Uniqueness
High West was once a pioneer in the world of NDP and blended whiskeys, though in the last 5-8 years the company has rebranded and started distilling in-house. Their transition from source-whiskey focused to distillery presence has been slow, and High West Bourbon doesn’t stand out from the other MGP sourced bourbons on the market.
Value
High West Bourbon can be found for around $30 which is a surprisingly low price considering the average cost of bourbons. However, the sip does not demonstrate the value of the price tag. It’s a decent option for those just starting out to explore blending bourbons, but may not be as attractive for seasoned bourbon drinkers.
Overall
High West Bourbon is an average blended bourbon that blends into the sea of MGP sourced bourbons. Despite the company’s storied history in blending, the whiskey lacks presence and falls short in delivering an impactful sip. The reasonable price might be tempting for those starting out, but overall the whiskey falls short and won’t satisfy most seasoned bourbon lovers
Classification: Blend of Straight Bourbons
Company: Constellation Brands
Distillery: Sourced from MGP and undisclosed distillery(ies)
Release Date: Ongoing
Proof: 92
Age: Minimum of 2 years (Company website states blend of 2-13 year old bourbons)
Mashbill: Blend of bourbon mashbills:
- Straight MGP Bourbon(s): 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
- Straight Bourbon(s): 84% Corn, 8% Rye, 8% Malted Barley
Color: Light Gold
MSRP: $38 (2023)
And has an ABV of 46%.
High West Bourbon is a delicious and smooth bourbon that has a higher ABV than most, making it perfect for those looking for a stronger kick. The rebranding of this product shows the company’s commitment to quality and innovation. Definitely worth trying.
, and the label is about the only difference between the two bourbons.
It seems like High West Bourbon has gone through a simple name change, but still maintains the excellent taste of their American Prairie Bourbon. Batch No. 23A13 is definitely worth trying for any bourbon lover.
, which may sound like a computer password, but it actually has meaning.
The rebranding of High West’s American Prairie Bourbon highlights the company’s commitment to quality and attention to detail. With each batch carefully crafted and labeled with a unique code, it’s clear that High West takes great pride in their product. Cheers to Batch No. 23A13!