High West Bourbon 750ML

High West Bourbon 750ML is a non-chill-filtered blend of straight bourbon whiskeys bottled at 46% ABV (92 proof) in a 750ml bottle. High West Distillery earned Whiskey Advocate's Distiller of the Year honor in 2016, and this bourbon expression has collected Gold Medals at both the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the 2023 Denver International Spirits Competition.

Quick Facts: ABV: 46% (92 Proof)  |  Origin: Utah, USA  |  Blend of Straight Bourbons Aged 2–13 Years  |  Distillery: High West Distillery

Production & Heritage

High West Distillery operates out of Wanship, Utah, and has built its reputation on thoughtful blending rather than single-distillery production. This bourbon combines MGP-distilled whiskey carrying a high-rye mashbill of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% barley malt with additional Kentucky-sourced bourbons, including one with an 84% corn, 8% rye, and 8% malted barley grain bill. All components are aged a minimum of two years and up to thirteen years in charred new American white oak barrels, then married and bottled without chill filtration or carbon treatment — a practice that preserves the full spectrum of flavor compounds from each constituent whiskey.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Caramel and melted butter open the nose, followed by fresh apple and vanilla. A thread of cinnamon spice emerges as the whiskey breathes, reflecting the high-rye component in the blend.

Taste: The entry is sweet and grain-forward, with honey nougat and sweet cornbread biscuits arriving immediately on the palate. Mid-palate shifts toward candy corn sweetness balanced by earthy oak tannins and a distinct rye spice kick that keeps the profile from becoming one-dimensional. At 92 proof, the texture carries real weight without excessive heat.

Finish: Long and layered, with vanilla merging into caramel apple, pecan pie, and toasted oak. The rye spice persists as a gentle warmth well after the sip, and the absence of chill filtration gives the finish an oily, satisfying texture.

How to Drink High West Bourbon

Neat or with a few drops of water is the best way to explore the interplay between the older and younger bourbon components; the 46% ABV holds up well with a single ice cube for those who prefer a cooler sip. In cocktails, the high-rye backbone and caramel sweetness make it highly versatile:

• Old Fashioned — The honey nougat and oak character stand up to bitters and simple syrup without disappearing.
• Boulevardier — Rye spice in the mashbill cuts through Campari's bitterness and sweet vermouth, creating excellent balance.
• Whiskey Sour — The fresh apple and vanilla notes pair naturally with citrus, producing a sour with real depth.

Best For

• Bourbon drinkers exploring multi-state blends and non-chill-filtered whiskeys
• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who appreciates craft-distillery innovation
• Building a home cocktail bar with a versatile, higher-proof bourbon
• Side-by-side tasting sessions comparing blended versus single-source bourbons

Frequently Asked Questions

What does High West Bourbon taste like? High West Bourbon leads with sweet honey nougat, cornbread, and caramel, then transitions to rye spice and toasted oak on a long finish. The non-chill-filtered bottling gives it a notably rich, oily mouthfeel at 92 proof.

How does High West Bourbon compare to Buffalo Trace? Buffalo Trace is a single-distillery Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 90 proof with a lower-rye mashbill, resulting in a softer, more fruit-forward profile. High West Bourbon runs slightly hotter at 92 proof with noticeably more rye spice and a layered complexity that comes from blending bourbons aged between two and thirteen years from multiple sources.

Is High West Bourbon good for sipping neat? Yes — the 46% ABV and non-chill-filtered bottling deliver enough body and flavor intensity for neat sipping, while the blend of older and younger whiskeys adds complexity that rewards slow drinking.

Where is High West Bourbon made? High West Bourbon is produced by High West Distillery in Wanship, Utah, though the blend incorporates bourbon distilled at MGP in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, as well as Kentucky-sourced straight bourbons.

What foods pair well with High West Bourbon? Smoked brisket works well against the rye spice and oak. Pecan pie echoes the nutty, caramel finish. Sharp aged cheddar contrasts the sweetness with savory depth. Apple tarts mirror the fresh apple notes on the nose. Dark chocolate with sea salt amplifies the vanilla and toasted oak character.

What sizes does High West Bourbon come in? High West Bourbon is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle, with 375ml half-bottles also found in some markets.

Is High West Bourbon worth the price? High West Bourbon positions in the mid-premium tier for American whiskey, and its multi-age blend (2–13 years), non-chill-filtered bottling, and 92-proof strength deliver strong value relative to comparable blended bourbons in the same price range.

Why High West Bourbon?

What separates this expression from the crowded bourbon field is its deliberate multi-source, multi-age blending philosophy combined with a commitment to non-chill-filtered, non-carbon-treated bottling at a full 46% ABV. The use of both a high-rye MGP mashbill and a corn-heavy Kentucky bourbon creates a flavor profile that balances sweetness and spice in a way neither source achieves alone. Gold Medals at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and 2023 Denver International Spirits Competition, plus a 92-point score from The Tasting Panel, confirm that this approach translates into genuine quality. For drinkers who want a bourbon with real blending craft behind it — and the texture that only unfiltered whiskey provides — High West Bourbon delivers on both counts.