Michters vs High West

@Spitfire HW Rendezvous Rye. None on the Michter's regular lineup can match it. HW Campfire could be an option as well.

@Astroke Yes, from the reviews this is rather the impression I got--but I thought I'd ask the good folks here, too.

@Spitfire My opinion is not based on reviews but from my own experience with the noted Whiskies. So now you have 1 opinion. Hopefully you make the choice that suits your taste.

@Astroke Hey, that's exactly why I asked here. Thanks.

The reason why a whisk(e)y makes it to the Connosr Top 100 Rated List ("popular" whiskies) is that not only do many like it a lot, but also that very few raters strongly dislike it. High West Rendezvous Rye is currently # 38 on the Connosr Top Rated list. That tells you an enormous amount.

High West Rendez-Vous Rye is an Aristocrat.

For my taste Michter's American Whiskey is actually pretty horrible whiskey, and by far the worst of the Michter's products I have tasted. The Michter's bourbon is usually good and can be very good. The ryes I've had of theirs have been just ok, somewhat flawed, and otherwise unremarkable and pretty non-descript. I cannot imagine any circumstance in which I would pay money to buy a bottle of Michter's American Whiskey. If I were given a bottle I would not drink any of it for pleasure, but only to sample from it occasionally to remind me what it was about it which I did not like about it. I would describe what's wrong with Michter's American Whiskey as poor flavour combining. I think they are mixing rye and wheat in it, and it turns out horribly.

@Victor Hey, don't hold back, tell it like it is!

OK, if I get a chance I'm going to buy a bottle of High West Rendezvous; I'll give the Michters a pass (keep in mind, they're rare here, and sold as premium products at a premium price).

@Victor Oh, and thanks for pointing out the "popular whiskies" list--I hadn't looked at that before!

@Spitfire Michters sells everywhere outside of the US as a premium price. Most over priced American Whiskey this side of Bib and Tucker.

You can add me to the list of Michters detractors. Every bottle of their product I have had has underwhelmed, especially their rye. There is far too much well produced rye out there to spend money on Michters.

I have the direct opposite opinion of High West. If you have the chance, look for their Midwinter night dram which is their Rendezvous Rye finished in port barrels.
Their BouRye is also a unique blend of old rye and well aged bourbon.

Also consider Willet Estate bottled Ryes. Currently the 2, 6, and 8 years can be found on shelves around the country. If you spot a green waxed dipped 4yr Willet Rye, those are exceptional.

@Spitfire, the Connosr Top 100 Rated is for me the best single tool I have seen for choosing quality and avoiding duds. That list is the Vox Populi. Almost everything else is just one reviewer's taste. It's only real flaws are: 1) many many of the best whiskies don't get there because they don't have the ratings base to qualify for that list, and 2) some great whiskies, especially high ABV and Big Flavour ones, get outlier low scores from a few people who can't handle them and that keeps their aggregate score down. A whisky has to be damned good to avoid low marks and be good enough to make it to that list.

@newreverie, @Spitfire lives about a galaxy away from any bottle of Willett Family Reserve Rye or Bourbon.

Correction: Willett Family Estate Rye or Bourbon.

@Victor Thanks againg for the info re the "Popular Whiskeis" list. I will be making use of it.

And yeah, regarding Willlett's--to date, I have yet to even see a bottle of Willlett's, except in photos. But, no worries, some day I may find a bottle (and if it has a green waxed cap, I'll certainly get it!).

@Spitfire, I take great pride in that I personally egged @Jean-Luc on to expand the Connosr list from Top 25 Rated Whiskies to Top 50 Rated Whiskies and then from Top 50 Rated Whiskies to Top 100 Rated Whiskies. I asked if the list could be expanded in each case, and voila! on the same day I asked Jean-Luc there they were! According to J-L it was a simple straightforward change to make.

@Spitfire High West Rendezvous Rye really is a wonderful dram. It is a little expensive but compared to Michters it's well worth the money.

@maltmate302 Thanks. I have no problem paying the extra $25 for a better quality bottle.