March 2025

High West High Country American Single Malt Whiskey

/ / Other Whisk(e)ys, Review /

High West High Country
American Single Malt Whiskey

44.8% ABV
$80
Website
High West High Country American Single Malt Whiskey
We would like to thank High West Whiskey and lippe taylor for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

High West’s High Country American Single Malt is a single malt whiskey distilled and blended by High West in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, aged for 4-8 years. Recognized for its robust, flavor-forward profile, this year’s expression features unique notes of sourdough French Toast, crème caramel and fresh-picked kumquats. This monumental release marks a momentous occasion for the distillery on the heels of the TTB’s decision last month to formally recognize American single malt as an official whiskey category in the U.S.

“We can’t wait to share this year’s High Country American Single Malt with whiskey lovers throughout the state,” said Tara Lindley, Director of Blend & Sensory at High West Distillery. “With a slightly older age perception, the blended single malt whiskeys of this rendition were aged in used and new charred white American oak barrels, with a portion finished in French oak Ruby Port, Oloroso Sherry, and PX Sherry barrels for a distinctly robust flavor profile.”

Bottles of the limited run of High Country American Single Malt are available now throughout Utah. The spirit can be purchased at High West General Store in Old Town Park City, High West Distillery on Blue Sky Ranch in Wanship, or UT state liquor stores for $79.99 per bottle.

On the Nose: Wildflower honey, golden raisins, lemon peel, chamomile, sourdough French toast, roasted Brazil nuts, mossy wooden bridge over a babbling brook
Palate: Rich layered toffee notes, ripe cantaloupe, graham cracker, crème caramel, dried hay, puffed cereal, cocoa nibs, leather
Finish: Fresh-picked kumquats, maple pecan pie
How to Drink: Best enjoyed neat or with a few drops of water while appreciating a magnificent western vista.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Apricot, pears, honey suckle, floral notes, nutty with a bit of oak.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, sweet and fruity with baked pears, apricots and tangerines, vanilla with a bit of pepper spice.
Finish:  Moderate in length, drying with pepper spice and a light caramel note.
Comments:  American Single Malt Whiskey is still a pretty new category, which is exciting and challenging at the same time. Exciting as it lends itself well to innovation and different approaches, but challenging as there isn’t a “baseline expectation”. I found this pour to be interesting, and definitely won’t be confused with bourbon or rye. This has more in common with its cousins from across the pond. The lower ABV lends to this being easy to drink and approachable, although it leaves me wondering ‘what might have been’ at a higher proof. Maybe a cask strength limited edition someday?

Rating: Stands Out

High West High Country American Single Malt Whiskey Read More »

Clynelish 1995 26 Year Old 50th Anniversary

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Clynelish 1995 26 Year Old 50th Anniversary
Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
The Whisky Exchange Exclusive

51.5% ABV
$475-$500
Website
Clynelish 1995 26 Year Old 50th Anniversary Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

What the Retailer Says

A specially selected 26-year-old Clynelish, distilled in 1995 and bottled for the 50th anniversary of The Whisky Exchange’s co-founders’ family starting in the drinks industry. This was bottled from a pair of casks – a refill sherry butt and a hogshead – and brings together the best of both of those styles of Clynelish whisky: rich and fruity, and fresh and fruity, all-wrapped in the distillery’s classic waxy character.

Tasting Notes
Nose: Toffee apples, raisin-studded shortbread and candied citrus peel at first. The fruit intensifies, backed up by gummi bears, buttered apples, white-wine-poached pears and traditional Clynelish waxed-jacket notes. Hints of sweet butter poke out in between the fruit, with milk and white chocolate hiding behind.
Palate: Royal icing and sugar-coated almonds fade beneath mint fondant and the fruit from the nose – fresh orchard fruit, gummi sweets, zingy citrus and some sweet pineapple. Gently drying apple skin notes develop alongside a touch of menthol.
Finish: Mint and green grass are joined by milk chocolate. Green apples linger.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich but delicate, fruity with pears, apples and apricots, heather, pineapple, mango, tahini and melted wax.
Palate:  Thick and cream mouthfeel, waxy with fruit notes before a sharp bit of pepper spice, lemon and pinepple.
Finish:  Moderately long and syrupy with fruit salad, sandalwood and tahini.
Comments:  Classic Clynelish waxy notes. As with many mature whiskies, this benefits from time in the glass (some say a minute for every year; I’m not that patient but a good 10-12 minutes definitely made a difference). A very nice dram to sit back and sip on. While I enjoyed it, the nose advertised a complexity and nuance that I didn’t get on the palate (although could just be me). The palate turned sharp before all of the fruit notes stepped forward, although the tahini note is one I don’t come across often and I did enjoy here.

Rating: Stands Out

Clynelish 1995 26 Year Old 50th Anniversary Read More »