High West Double Rye

Pretty solid and hot rye. I’m certainly a big rye fan and this is a great value choice. I think alcohol content is perfect for the natural rye heat. Great nose. Taste lots of leather and moderate Oak. Mild finish for such a potent up front flavor.

Great well rounded rye. Great for cocktails and daily sipping. Amazing barreled selection if you can find one

Super leathery. Very savory, with a little of that bourbon vanilla sugar sweetness.

Paired with a 2012 Maduro by Oscar Valladares in the early afternoon. This whiskey is sweet notes on the nose of maple syrup and funnel cake. On the palate a slight hint of vanilla that gives way to baking spice. The addition of a draw on the cigar changes those baking spices to a black pepper and orange peel finish.

In exchange for some of my Pepper Barrel Proof rye a friend gifted me a nice half pint sample of this Double Rye, it's a 2019 bottle and he said that is "probably" the latest program High West is using on this one, that being a split of MGP's 95/5 and their own house rye reputedly in the range of an 80/20. It starts with a nose of heavy clove and orange candy with a big underpinning of the typical eucalyptus/menthol found in youngish, green rye's. Trace notes of almond, maybe some leather but the big punch of clove and menthol just doesn't leave much room for anything else to happen. Front loads with the clove, some dill and only bits of orange or candy, it's a little harsh and dry through the middle, reminiscent of an average bulleitish MGP rye, it doesn't offer up much of a varied palate of notes. The menthol certainly adds to the harshness and along with heavy handed clove not much else can get through. I would say one or both of the components would clearly improve with some extra barrel time. Much like the gin producers who stomp out their varied botanicals with anise, this rye is just to young, intense and singular in expression. With more time, more thought or both, this probably could have been a top level or near to it, rye, but as is, it just doesn't offer enough in comparison to the far richer ryes on the market. Not really bad, but not impressive either as an example, Old Forestor's earthy unextravagant rye gives you more to think about, It's a rye you could add to your bar but certainly you would be fine without. Let's hope High West can do better in the future. Cheers!

Anise and other spices on the nose. Well-balanced spice on the palate with a long, warming finish.

Spice oaky and full on flavor. This rye is a great price value and is a great choice for cocktails, especially a Monte Carlo. But is very drinkable straight up.