High West Double Rye 750ML

High West Double Rye 750ML is a blend of two straight rye whiskeys bottled at 46% ABV (92 proof) in a 750ml bottle. Scored 93 points (Exceptional) by the Beverage Testing Institute, this expression marries a high-rye MGP whiskey with High West's own malted rye distillate to produce one of the most aggressively spiced ryes on the American market.

Quick Facts: ABV: 46% (92 Proof)  |  Origin: Park City, Utah, USA  |  Blend of Straight Rye Whiskeys (NAS)  |  Distillery: High West Distillery

Production & Heritage

High West Distillery was founded in 2006 in Park City, Utah, becoming the first legal distillery in the state since the 1870s. Double Rye combines two distinct mashbills: a younger rye with a 95% rye and 5% barley malt grain bill sourced from MGP in Indiana and distilled on a column still, alongside High West's own 80% rye and 20% malted rye recipe produced on a pot still. The column-distilled component delivers sharp, assertive rye spice, while the pot-distilled whiskey contributes rounder caramel sweetness and woody vanilla richness that tempers the blend's bite. High West has described their goal with Double Rye as creating "the spiciest rye whiskey in the world."

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh spearmint and clove arrive first, followed by cinnamon bark, licorice root, and pine nuts. A layer of dark chocolate and surprising gin-like botanicals — juniper and evergreen — develops underneath.

Taste: Rye spice hits immediately on the entry, with a peppery kick that transitions into cooling menthol, eucalyptus, and herbal tea at mid-palate. As the whiskey opens, wildflower honey and allspice emerge, balancing the intensity with a measured sweetness that never overwhelms the grain.

Finish: Medium-long, with cinnamon and mint holding steady before gradually sweetening through the fade. A lingering hint of anise and gingersnap provides a spicy, warming close.

How to Drink Double Rye

At 92 proof, Double Rye holds up well neat and rewards a few drops of water, which coaxes out the honey and botanical layers hiding beneath the spice. Its bold rye character and high proof also make it a cocktail workhorse. A Sazerac lets the anise and clove notes dovetail naturally with the absinthe rinse. A classic Manhattan benefits from the whiskey's cinnamon-forward spice cutting through sweet vermouth. A Whiskey Sour works beautifully here because the citrus amplifies the mint and eucalyptus top notes while the honey sweetness rounds out the sour balance.

Best For

• Rye whiskey enthusiasts seeking an unapologetically spice-forward pour
• Building a home cocktail bar with a versatile, higher-proof rye
• Gifting someone transitioning from bourbon to rye for the first time
• Side-by-side tastings comparing column-still versus pot-still rye character

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Double Rye taste like? Double Rye leads with intense cinnamon and rye spice, followed by cooling mint, eucalyptus, and herbal tea, then finishes with wildflower honey and anise. It is one of the more aggressively spiced ryes in its price tier, with an unusual gin-botanical quality that sets it apart.

How does Double Rye compare to Rittenhouse Rye? Both are respected mid-range ryes, but Rittenhouse Bottled-in-Bond (100 proof) uses a lower-rye mashbill that leans more toward caramel and baking spice, while Double Rye's dual high-rye mashbills deliver more pronounced mint, eucalyptus, and herbal complexity. Double Rye is bottled at 92 proof versus Rittenhouse's 100 proof, making it slightly softer on the palate despite its bold spice profile.

Is Double Rye good for cocktails? Double Rye is excellent in cocktails because its high rye content and 92-proof strength ensure the whiskey's spice cuts through mixers and sweeteners without getting lost. It is particularly well-suited to Sazeracs, Manhattans, and any cocktail that benefits from a pronounced rye backbone.

Where is Double Rye made? Double Rye is produced by High West Distillery, located in Park City, Utah. The blend incorporates whiskey distilled at High West's own facility alongside sourced straight rye whiskey from MGP Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana.

What foods pair well with Double Rye? Charcuterie boards with cured salami and aged cheddar complement the whiskey's peppery spice. Smoked brisket or barbecued ribs echo its cinnamon and clove notes. Dark chocolate with sea salt mirrors the cocoa tones on the nose. Apple pie or ginger cake align with the anise and gingersnap finish. Blue cheese provides a bold counterpoint to the mint and eucalyptus layers.

What sizes does Double Rye come in? Double Rye is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle and is also commonly found in 375ml half-bottles and 50ml miniatures.

Is Double Rye worth the price? Double Rye positions as a mid-range rye whiskey that punches above its price tier, with a 93-point Beverage Testing Institute score and Gold Medal at the 2023 Denver International Spirits Competition supporting its value. Its dual-mashbill complexity and higher-than-average proof make it a strong contender among ryes at this level.

Why Double Rye?

What separates Double Rye from most American ryes is the deliberate collision of two very different distilling philosophies in one bottle: a lean, sharp column-still rye against a rounder, more textured pot-still rye, each built on a distinct mashbill. That structural contrast — not just a flavor gimmick — is what produces the whiskey's unusual range, from aggressive black pepper to delicate wildflower honey within the same sip. Critical recognition backs this up: 93 points from the Beverage Testing Institute, 91 points from Whiskey Advocate, and a Gold Medal at the 2023 Denver International Spirits Competition. For drinkers who want a rye that refuses to play it safe, Double Rye delivers genuine complexity rooted in a thoughtful blending approach rather than marketing shorthand.