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High West Cask Strength Bourbon 2026

Can a blend of five bourbons aged 6–20 years from three states deliver real complexity at cask strength? High West's 2026 limited release makes a compelling case.

OVERALL RATING

8
$69.99
  • Charles Steele is an attorney and whiskey enthusiast with a penchant for the peculiar.
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Tasting Notes

About:

High West out of Park City, Utah. A distillery that requires minimal introduction to those versed in whiskey over the past decade. With yearly releases that rarely see the shelf, like Bourye and Midwinter Night’s Dram, High West has exploded onto the whiskey scene. This bottle represents a specialty release for 2026. In a press release they describe the bottle thusly:

“This limited release Cask Strength is a bold, masterfully blended whiskey that captures the rugged spirit of the Utah mountains. The 2026 blend is a blend of straight bourbon whiskeys, 58.5% ABV, ranging from 6-20 years old. Enjoy it neat, with a splash of water, or on the rocks—or elevate your favorite classics like an Old Fashioned or Manhattan with its bold character. This is whiskey at its most adventurous.”

The small-batch bourbon is a blend of five different straight bourbons aged between six and 20 years, sourced from distilleries in Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee. This is available nation wide and at the distillery. Which is fairly common for High West. Finished in new, charred American white oak barrels, the whiskey is non-chill filtered and bottled at 58.5% ABV (117 proof).

This release arrives following distilling director Isaac Winter’s recent Master Distiller Certification. The certification is a highly respected distinction in American whiskey-making, earned through a rigorous process reflective of industry traditions.
Appearance:
Russet Mascat – or slightly dark copper – with quick medium legs
Nose:
The nose is a lovely subdued bourbon. We have old oak, light caramel, simple syrup, black pepper, overlayed with baked apples and cinnamon. Not as hot as expected.
Palate:
Earthy tones are first with nice black tea and a pop of brown sugar. There is a nice warn leather, rich cola and anise. Maple sugar with just a touch of charcoal to balance the sweetness.
Finish:
Drying to the mouth with a medium to short finish. Nice lingering notes of rock candy and aged wood. Subtle medicinal quality at the very end.
Comments:
Really quite a lovely deep bodied whiskey with a powerful profile to add complexity and just enough softness to keep you engaged. Well curated and blended with positive notes balancing the body and finish. To me this is a great bottle to have with those who are just a little more engaged in their profile. I think it’s not quite so sophisticated that a novice will identify the subtle notes of the older bourbon and may get lost in the earth notes, however for fans of the full-body whiskey this is a great example of something fun. Absolutely worth drinking and sharing.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Charles Steele

Charles Steele, a Portland-based attorney, is a native of the Pacific Northwest. His legal background provides him with an analytical approach to understanding whiskey and other aged spirits. Primarily a legal writer, freelancing for The Whiskey Wash offers Charles a unique opportunity to showcase his versatility as a writer. Although his preference lies with whiskey and whiskey-based cocktails, he has a profound appreciation for all unique and unconventional liquors, from Malört to Ojen - if it's peculiar, he's intrigued.

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