High West High Country Single Malt 750ML

High West High Country Single Malt 750ML is a 44% ABV (88 proof) American single malt whiskey distilled entirely in-house in Utah's Wasatch Mountains. Scoring 88 points from Whisky Advocate, this expression distinguishes itself through an uncommon on-the-grain distillation process and a mashbill that blends three separate malted barley recipes, including peated Scottish malt and chocolate malt, into a single richly layered spirit.

Quick Facts: ABV: 44% (88 Proof)  |  Origin: Wasatch Mountains, Utah, USA  |  American Single Malt (NAS)  |  Distillery: High West Distillery

Production & Heritage

High West Distillery, founded in 2006 in Park City, Utah, holds the distinction of being the state's first legal distillery since 1870. The brand earned Whiskey Advocate's "Whiskey Pioneer of the Year" award in 2011. While many High West releases historically relied on sourced whiskey, High Country is 100% distilled and blended on-site—a milestone for the distillery. The mashbill comprises three distinct 100% malted barley recipes: a two-row malt with Crystal-60 and chocolate malt; a straight two-row pale malt; and a 100% peated Scottish malt. Crucially, High West uses on-the-grain distillation, meaning the grain solids remain in the wash during both fermentation and distillation rather than being filtered out beforehand. This technique, more common in bourbon production than single malt, drives a heavier mouthfeel and more robust flavor extraction.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with roasted macadamia nuts and dried cherry before moving into richer territory—bananas Foster, toasted coconut, and chocolate chip ice cream. A gentle thread of wood smoke and raisin bread rounds out the aromatics.

Taste: On the palate, smoked pear and honey over baked apples lead the entry, joined by lemon rind and cherry-tinged chocolate at mid-palate. The texture is notably creamy, with flavors of toffee nuts, toasted puffed rice, sea salt, and buttered brioche building toward a satisfying peak of dark chocolate richness.

Finish: The finish is medium-long with honeycomb sweetness, charred marshmallow, and cocoa nibs holding center stage. An earthy, forest-floor spice emerges in the final moments, adding complexity and grounding the sweeter notes.

How to Drink High Country

Neat or with a few drops of water is the ideal serve, as water opens up the chocolate malt and peat interplay that defines this whiskey. A single large ice cube works well for warmer months without drowning the texture. For cocktails: a Rob Roy benefits from the smoky-sweet backbone; a Penicillin plays naturally off the peated malt character and honeycomb notes; and a Boulevardier gains depth from the dark chocolate and toffee flavors that stand up to Campari's bitterness.

Best For

• Scotch drinkers curious about the American single malt category
• Gifting to a whiskey enthusiast who values unique production methods
• Adding a domestic single malt anchor to a home whiskey collection
• Side-by-side tastings comparing American and Scottish single malts

Frequently Asked Questions

What does High Country taste like? High Country leads with smoked pear, honey over baked apples, and dark chocolate, supported by toasted coconut, toffee nuts, and sea salt. The finish brings honeycomb, charred marshmallow, and cocoa nibs with a lingering earthy spice.

How does High Country compare to Westward American Single Malt? Westward uses a 100% malted two-row barley mashbill and emphasizes fruit-forward, clean flavors from its ale-yeast fermentation and new American oak aging. High Country blends three distinct barley recipes—including peated Scottish malt and chocolate malt—and relies on on-the-grain distillation for a smokier, heavier-bodied, more dessert-inflected profile.

Is High Country good for sipping neat? Yes, its creamy mouthfeel from on-the-grain distillation and layered flavor complexity from three malt recipes make it well-suited to neat sipping, though a few drops of water can help separate the smoke and chocolate elements.

Where is High Country made? High Country Single Malt is distilled and blended entirely at High West Distillery in Park City, located in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah. High West, founded in 2006, was the first legal distillery in Utah since 1870.

What foods pair well with High Country? Dark chocolate truffles echo the cocoa and toffee notes naturally. Smoked salmon or smoked duck breast complement the peated malt character. Aged Gruyère or Comté cheese balances the honeycomb sweetness. Apple tart or pear galette mirrors the baked fruit flavors found on the palate.

What sizes does High Country come in? High Country Single Malt is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is High Country worth the price? High Country positions as a mid-premium American single malt, competing in a growing category alongside names like Westward and Balcones. Its fully in-house distillation, three-recipe mashbill, and distinctive on-the-grain process offer genuine production differentiation that justifies its placement within this tier.

Why High Country?

High Country Single Malt represents something genuinely uncommon in American whiskey: a single malt built from three separate malted barley recipes—including peated Scottish malt and chocolate malt—unified through on-the-grain distillation. That production choice, borrowed from bourbon tradition and applied to single malt, creates a texture and flavor density that most American single malts do not attempt. It is also the expression that proves High West can stand on its own distillate, entirely independent of sourced stock. For anyone tracking the rapidly evolving American single malt category, this 88-point whiskey from the Wasatch Mountains belongs on the short list of essential bottles to know.