High West Double Rye – Rum Barrel Finish Review

Distillery: High West Distillery and sourced whiskey from MGP Distillery

Region: Park City, Utah

Aging: 8 months in Rum Barrels

ABV: 49.4%

Proof: 98.8

Barrel No: 24694

Bottle No: 135

Non-Chill Filtered: Yes

Price: $55

High Est Double Rye Rum Barrel Aged Whiskey Tasting Notes

Appearance: Dark Honey

Nose: Caramel, citrus fruits like lime and grapefruit, slight sugar cane notes, light oak, vanilla, and cinnamon

Palate: Toffee, citrus fruits but not as bold as on the nose, vanilla, oak, slight sugar cane notes from the rum barrels

Finish: Long finish with sweet caramel, and charred oak, with a bit of spice on the end and a citrusy lime note to close it out – almost reminds me of tasting a lime after a tequila shot (in a really good way)

Is High West Double Rye Rum Barrel Aged an Approachable Whiskey?

High West Double Rye is a bit of a unique whiskey. I don’t know if beginner whiskey drinkers would really appreciate this one, but the rum notes may help them ease into the whiskey flavors. I’d probably only purchase this bottle if you’re an experienced whiskey drinker looking for a unique combination of flavors.

Is High West Double Rye Rum Barrel Aged Complex?

High West Double Rye is quite a complex whiskey. It’s certainly not your standard straight-forward rye whiskey.

While you do still get the rye flavors and spicy notes, the rum barrel finish adds a unique twist that reminds me of two things:

1. Raw Sugar Cane from Jamaican Rums
2. Lime citrus flavors like you’d find in a mixed drink or after taking a tequila shot

It’s weird to use those two descriptions when describing a double-rye whiskey, but it’s quite an enjoyable pour. I didn’t expect much from this bottle but have been pleasantly surprised.

Is High West Double Rye Rum Barrel Aged a go-to whiskey?

At the $55 price point, I wouldn’t consider this a go-to whiskey. While I do keep finding myself wanting to pour another glass, it’s more a whiskey that I would drink when I’m in a special mood and looking for a twist.

Is High West Double Rye Rum Barrel Finish priced accurately to its quality?

At the $55 price tag, I do think High West Double Rye is worth the price tag. It offers such a unique combination of flavors that I appreciate the more I drink.

Conclusion for High West Double Rye Rum Barrel Finish

If you see this bottle on the shelf, I would recommend giving it a shot. Be prepared for a unique flavor profile, but that’s what makes this bottle special. I am definitely glad I bought this one and decided to review it for you.

I did find the back label of the bottle interesting for a few reasons. Not only does it explain what they were going for with the bottle, but it also mentions that this bottle would be good to use in a Manhattan or Old Fashioned – something I definitely wouldn’t expect a higher-end whiskey bottle to say.

Normally, I wouldn’t use a $55 bottle of whiskey as a cocktail ingredient, but I may have to give this one a shot just to test it out.

Let Us Know What You Think

I hope you enjoyed this tasting experience with me.

If you decide to give this bottle a shot, please let me know on social media via Reddit, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Thanks for reading and cheers!