High West Cask Collection (OHLQ Pick)

Batch number: 23D18 (mostly illegible) Finally getting around to trying this last Christmas gift, and I'm conflicted on how to feel up front. I've always loved one of the rye-based whiskies from High West, but I can't remember if it was Bourye, Double Rye, or Rendezvous Rye. After looking through the distillery's website to try to jog my memory, I learned 3 distinct things. First, this Cask Collection product is not listed anywhere throughout the whole site. Second, the prices of all High West products have increased no less than 2-3 times over within the last ~5 years, according to listed prices of the products for purchase on the site itself. And finally, while I was still trying to decipher the differences between the core rye whiskeys, I learned that High West is clearly trying to become the American version of Johnnie Walker, as they produce blends of whiskey that are very similar to each other, most of them filled with whiskey that they do not produce, and sell it for a massive mark-up. I've never been a fan of blended whiskey, mostly because I can purchase all the individual spirits and blend them myself, and in 9 out of 10 cases, save loads of money based on volume. However, blending also feels almost disrespectful to the origin distillers, since the blender is affirming that their blend tastes better than the sum of it's parts, while overshadowing any natural flavors of each individual base spirit. All that aside, I'm always a fan of finishing barrels, especially when the finish is new, unique, or downright weird. In this case, I feel the use of the specific cabernet sauvignon barrels is risky, since the tannic, dry, almost bitter notes that are possible from this grape don't seem like they would play well with the sweet, grain-forward, boozy notes of a bourbon. I love being pleasantly wrong and put in my place by a surprising underdog, though, so I'm hoping this is one of those reviews. From what I was able to find outside of the distillery's website, this is a blend of 4-9 year old bourbons that was finished in cabernet sauvignon barrels for 9 months, which brings about an expectation of a noticeably darker color. This indeed rings true, as certain light and backgrounds can turn the glass from an expected golden brown, to a cherry-chocolate color, and sometimes even a touch of black on the edges. The nose is both sweet and fruity, and funny enough, even has a slight cherry cordial scent to it. Dry, toasted oak, a general florality, mixed red berries, and a touch of banana and tobacco are also among the nose during repeated smelling. The ethanol is balanced, as it's not light or nonexistent, but also isn't strong enough to singe nose hairs. Initial flavors focus on slightly sweet red berries, with a big focus on milk chocolate and a much lighter note of banana. The ethanol quickly heats up the whole mouth, with a focus on the gum-line, but without penetrating very deeply. The body is overall quite dry, which prevents the finish from being very long, although a note of sweet oak can be savored throughout the short, yet powerful finish. This is definitely very tasty, which isn't all that surprising, but I am a little shocked at how hot and concentrated the entire flavor profile is, while only being 100 proof. I've had hot spirits (mostly whiskey) at this proof point, but it's far more common to be underwhelmed than the inverse. Also, while wine barrel finishing is certainly not new, I did not expect the choice of only cabernet sauvignon barrels to work out, but it thankfully delivered the juicy, berry notes to the end product, while leaving behind the heavier tannic and earthy flavors. This definitely is a fun and delicious whiskey with a unique barrel finish that was also unexpected to have worked out so well. I enjoyed this neat, and am just as excited to add water, ice, and play with cocktail experimentation, but I don't think it's worth the exuberant price point this distillery is moving toward, especially since the barrel finishing is the only thing that High West contributed to this likely MGP-made base.