The Last Call

     High West is one of those distilleries I’ve always had a complicated relationship with. I genuinely enjoy what they do, but I’ve also been vocal about pricing and the occasional miss on some of their finished releases. That said, when they get it right, they really get it right. And I’ll still stand by this: bring back the Double Rye picks.      This particular bottle is part of their Cask Collection, featuring a blend of straight whiskeys finished in a Sauvignon Blanc wine barrel. I passed on it once in Ohio and regretted it almost immediately. A year later, I found it sitting on a local grocery store shelf and didn’t hesitate. Some bottles have a way of circling back around.      This release is a blend of straight whiskeys, likely a combination of bourbon and rye, possibly including both sourced distillate and High West’s own. As with many recent releases, finishing times and mashbill breakdowns are not disclosed.      ...

     Every once in a while, a bottle that has been on your “unicorn list” for years shows up when you least expect it. That’s exactly how I felt when I spotted High West’s The Prisoner’s Share on a late August hunt here in Indiana. Batch three of this limited release was not only on the shelf, but somehow still priced at SRP, a rarity for something this sought after. After an hour of pacing and debating, curiosity won out, and I walked back into the store to claim it.      This whiskey is High West’s blend of straight bourbons and ryes, aged anywhere from 4 to 12 years, and finished in casks that once held The Prisoner, a bold and acclaimed blend of red wines. With High West blending in distillate potentially sourced from Bardstown, Indiana, Tennessee, and their own stocks, it’s a layered and mysterious release. Pricey, yes, but also intriguing enough to demand a closer look. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/b6AjMlSInNI ...

     I received this spirit as a review sample from Lasso Motel, linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      Lasso Motel continues to carve out a name for itself with transparency and creative finishing, and this release might be one of their most compelling yet. One thing I consistently appreciate about Lasso Motel is their openness. They clearly state the distillation source and mash bill, which as a whiskey enthusiast is something I always want to see. There’s no mystery here. Just good bourbon and thoughtful finishing.      The base bourbon is distilled in Kentucky at Green River Distillery using a mash bill of 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted barley. After maturation, it’s finished in Tokaji casks, which previously held the famous Hungarian sweet wine known for its rich fruit character and honeyed depth. Tokaji finishes have been gaining traction lately, and when handled well, they can ad...