Editor’s Note: These whiskeys were provided to us as review samples by High Bank Distillery. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link towards the bottom of this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.
Named in honor of a local saloon owner whose wielding of twin pistols sparked the Whiskey Wars of Prohibition, the High Bank Distillery Whiskey War & Whiskey War Barrel Proof bottlings owe their existence to the very recent relaxing of Prohibition-era laws. In Ohio, distilleries were not allowed to operate a restaurant on the same property and could only sell direct to consumers if they kept production low. This limited revenue streams for new establishments (in an industry with an already costly bar to entry) and constrained consumer outreach (not everyone is up to sip at a tasting room, but add burgers, brews, and cocktails…).
High Bank’s co-founder and Master Distiller, Adam Hines, estimates that while craft distilling across the country is about ten years behind craft brewing, Ohio is even further behind due to those restrictive laws. Since the shift in state law, distilleries have more than tripled in number, and High Bank was in the early wave of new establishments, having opened its doors in March 2018.
High Bank’s lineup includes a vodka, a gin, and this pair of whiskeys: the High Bank Distillery Whiskey War & Whiskey War Barrel Proof. The distillery uses a pot still with optional towers (used for the aforementioned vodka and gin) to distill batches, using the heads for sanitizing solution. Though a bourbon distilled on site is currently aging, the High Bank Distillery Whiskey War & Whiskey War Barrel Proof were only aged and blended on site, using rye-heavy mash bills from Indiana and Tennessee. It will be interesting to see whiskeys distilled onsite, but that’s for another day.
According to the hand written note on the label, I’ll be reviewing batch #33 of the High Bank Distillery Whiskey War and batch #29 of the High Bank Distillery Whiskey War Barrel Proof.
Tasting Notes: High Bank Distillery Whiskey War
Vital Stats: Aged at least four years, vessel types not provided, 44% ABV, mash bill: 80% rye, SRP $36.99/ 750ml bottle.
Appearance: This whiskey is pale orange-gold in color.
Nose: On the nose, the whiskey is highly aromatic. It exudes notes of fresh orange zest, allspice, clove, and bruised apples. There’s a faint hint of pastry like a butter croissant. Its aromatics show a tangy side, with notes of warm chutney, mango, and sweet cherries. I get a hint of lavender soap and fresh laundry with a suggestion of red wine vinegar and dandelions.
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Palate: This opens with a whisper of vinegar that leads into notes of vanilla beans and musk. There are plenty of fruit notes on the palate, with repeating notes of yellow apples, spiced chutney, mango, and dried herbs. It finishes with a suggestion of dried Herbes de Provence. The finish is fairly neutral and clean, leaving a gentle impression of alcohol on the tongue. Though it’s quite pleasant neat, it takes nicely to a splash of water and orange bitters.
Rating: 4/5
Tasting Notes: High Bank Distillery Whiskey War Barrel Proof
Vital Stats: Aged at least four years, vessel types not provided, 58.25% ABV, mash bill: 80% rye, SRP $50/ 750ml bottle.
Appearance: The High Bank Distillery Whiskey War Barrel Proof is a moderate orange-gold with a red-brown undertone.
Nose: The nose is slightly more neutral than its lower-ABV version. It opens with a note of musk, black cherries, toasted marshmallows, moss, and wood lacquer.
Palate: This is sweeter in taste and, not surprisingly, very spicy. The acetone note is perceptible in this, too, but it compliments the notes of cherry cola, toasted corn, and damp pine. I really enjoyed the finish as the peppery feel of the higher proof brought out more red cherry and red apple flavors.
Rating: 4/5
Final Thoughts: My preference is to enjoy these neat, over ice, or as the star ingredient of a cocktail. The High Bank Distillery Whiskey War Barrel Proof came across not overwhelmingly aggressive neat, but could be a more useful cocktail ingredient than the regular bottling, should you be able to source it. Fortunately, I don’t think you’re missing much if you can’t, as the regular bottling is quite good. These were both highly impressive, especially for the money.
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