High West Campfire

This blend from High West Distillery is a mix of straight rye, bourbon and a peated blended scotch. For lovers of all types of whisk(e)y, this is as interesting as it sounds.

Let's get to it...

Nose: Mostly bourbon on the nose--bourbon of the woodier variety. Booker's perhaps? Some sharp grain alcohol notes and a bit of woodshop dust. As it warms in the hand there are some faint whiffs of cocoa and honey amidst the wood spice. And occasionally... just occassionally... a very distant whiff of sweet peat smoke.

Taste: Incredible development! Three very distinct stages. Sweet bourbon on arrival... honey... vanilla, oak. Oak develops into distinct rye spice... cinnamon, chillies... with some geranium and unripe apple. Feisty rye notes quickly disipate into...

Finish: Mellow woodspice. A haze of peat smoke is released and drifts off, leaving you with toasted oak, and roasted vanilla beans.

While it is very tasty... There's nothing here that is going to knock the socks off an experienced whisky drinker. By that mean, the flavours are fairly typical. And the nose is a bit underwhelming. What makes this whisky so good is the fact that High West has executed on blending these whiskies in a way that balances out so well. And the distinct stages in which each spirit presents itself are a lot of fun. A bit of a novelty whiskey, but I highly recommend it for anyone keen on experimentation. This one's a success!

Find where to buy High West whisky