High West Liquor Barn Barrel Select Rum Finish 750ML

High West Liquor Barn Barrel Select Rum Finish 750ML is a 100 proof (50% ABV) bourbon whiskey finished in Barbados rum barrels, bottled at 750ml. As a hand-numbered, limited-release expression from High West's barrel select program, this bottling represents a single specially chosen batch that spent additional time maturing in rum casks—anywhere from six months to two years—adding tropical depth to an already robust bourbon foundation.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 Proof)  |  Origin: Utah, USA  |  Barrel Select, Rum Cask Finish  |  Distillery: High West Distillery

Production & Heritage

High West Distillery holds the distinction of being Utah's first legal distillery since 1870, operating out of Park City in the Wasatch Mountains. Their barrel select program takes specially curated batches of aged bourbon and finishes them in second-use barrels sourced from a range of spirit and wine producers; this particular expression uses Barbados rum casks, which impart a distinctive Caribbean character to the whiskey. Each bottle is hand-numbered, reflecting the limited nature of the run and the specificity of the barrel selection. The finishing process layers rum-influenced sweetness and spice onto the bourbon's existing grain-driven profile, creating a bottling that stands apart from High West's standard lineup.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Honey and sweet caramel greet the nose first, followed by candied cherries and a subtle tropical warmth inherited from the Barbados rum casks. There is a gentle undercurrent of toasted oak and brown sugar that deepens as the whiskey opens up in the glass.

Taste: The entry is rich with vanilla and buttery caramel, characteristic of well-aged bourbon. At mid-palate, the rum cask influence emerges clearly—molasses, toasted coconut, and ripe stone fruit create a layered sweetness that never tips into cloying territory. Spice and oak provide structural backbone, balancing the tropical notes with warmth and grip at 100 proof.

Finish: Medium-long, with lingering molasses-tinged sweetness, baking spice, and a faint echo of dried tropical fruit. The oak tannins provide a dry, satisfying close that invites the next sip.

How to Drink the Barrel Select Rum Finish

At 100 proof, this bourbon rewards neat sipping with a few drops of water to unlock the rum cask nuances; a single large ice cube also works well, gradually softening the proof while preserving complexity. For cocktails, the rum barrel influence opens creative possibilities: an Old Fashioned benefits from the molasses and tropical undertones in place of standard bourbon sweetness; a Gold Rush (bourbon, honey syrup, lemon) gains extra warmth and depth from the rum-cask spice; and a Rum Manhattan variation plays beautifully here, with the Barbados barrel character bridging bourbon and sweet vermouth in an unexpected way.

Best For

• Gifting a bourbon enthusiast who enjoys barrel-finished or cask-strength expressions
• Adding a distinctive single-barrel selection to a home whiskey collection
• Side-by-side tastings comparing different High West barrel select finishes
• Mixing adventurous cocktails that blend bourbon and rum flavor profiles

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Barrel Select Rum Finish taste like? It delivers classic bourbon flavors of vanilla, caramel, and oak, enriched by tropical sweetness from Barbados rum cask finishing—think molasses, toasted coconut, and ripe fruit layered over warm baking spice.

How does the Barrel Select Rum Finish compare to High West American Prairie Bourbon Barrel Select? Both come from High West's barrel select program, but the American Prairie Barrel Select uses a blended bourbon base that can be finished in a range of cask types including wine and brandy barrels. The Rum Finish is specifically defined by its Barbados rum cask maturation, which imparts distinctly tropical and molasses-driven notes not found in the Prairie expression.

Is the Barrel Select Rum Finish good for sipping neat? Yes—at 50% ABV it carries enough intensity and complexity to reward careful neat exploration, though a few drops of water help open up the rum cask character for those sensitive to higher proof.

Where is the Barrel Select Rum Finish made? It is produced by High West Distillery in Park City, Utah, which was established as Utah's first legal distillery since 1870. The finishing barrels are sourced from Barbados rum producers.

What foods pair well with the Barrel Select Rum Finish? Jerk-spiced grilled pork benefits from the tropical rum notes; dark chocolate truffles complement the molasses and caramel sweetness; pecan pie mirrors the toasted nut and brown sugar character; smoked brisket stands up to the 100 proof intensity; and banana foster desserts echo the rum cask's Caribbean influence.

What sizes does the Barrel Select Rum Finish come in? This expression is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is the Barrel Select Rum Finish worth the price? It positions as a premium, limited-release barrel select expression—hand-numbered and bottled at a generous 100 proof—placing it above High West's standard offerings in both exclusivity and intensity, which justifies a step up in price for collectors and enthusiasts seeking single-barrel complexity.

Why the Barrel Select Rum Finish?

What separates this expression from High West's already impressive lineup is the specificity of its finishing program: hand-selected barrels aged an additional six months to two years in Barbados rum casks, creating a bourbon that genuinely tastes like no two batches are identical. The 100 proof bottling strength preserves every nuance the rum barrels contribute, from tropical fruit to warm molasses, without diluting the bourbon's core character. As a hand-numbered, limited-run release, each bottle represents a snapshot of a particular barrel's journey—making it a meaningful addition for anyone who values provenance and production transparency in their whiskey.