Whisky: High West “High Country” American Single Malt

Country/Region: United States/Utah

ABV: 44%

Cask: New Oak, Refill Barrels

Nose: Fruity, malty, and nutty. Orange and almond sponge cake with coconut whipped cream and candied pecans— a particular pastry memory. Walnuts and pine resin with lemongrass and cedar wood. My wife described the aroma as Fruity Pebbles or Special K with a hint of glue. Hints of floral lavender combined with the coconut to give the impression of lotion, mono’i perhaps.

Palate: Medium to light body with wood, straw, and spice. Notes of coconut cream and lemon grass paired with a dash of white pepper to leave the palate tingling. Salted caramel and roasted sesame appeared as the coconut cream transitioned toward dried macerated coconut flakes. My wife highlighted a straw-grassy note which she thought turned toward dill on the finish. The finish featured a grassy spice as lemon grass and dill lingered at the end.

Finish:  Lingering notes of dry baking spices and coconut.

Score: 5

Mental Image: Coconut Cream Pie and Nilla Wafers

Notes: I was on the lookout for a chance to try this American Single Malt for a while— initially it was only released in Utah, but lately it seems to have been distributed a bit more widely.  I adore the category of American Single Malt and the sheer variety of different whiskies one can encounter within it.  Distillers marry American and Scottish techniques and traditions to produce some interesting whiskies.  Sometimes that leads to single malts that taste very oak-driven and almost ressemble bourbon with their flavor profile. Other times you get fascinating experiments with barley types and roasts— such as at Westland or Balcones.  Each distillery brings something unique to the table.

I was relieved to discover this was not overly wood driven (a seemingly common complaint about American single malts). The flavor profile reminded me more of an Irish pot still whisky than a single malt. Jameson's Bow Street had a similar coconut, banana, and cream profile, though it had nothing of the grassiness present on this dram. I thought this was a wild experience when we first poured it at a tasting event, though I did not take notes that evening. It proved just as strange as I remembered when my wife and I returned to it a few weeks later. She thought it was pretty good considering what it was (and not as weird as she first thought).

Overall, a great first single malt release from High West; I am curious to see how this malt performs in different casks and with a bit more age on it (or even at a higher proof). I loved that wood did not dominate the experience so that more of the malt could shine through.