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Everything you need to know about High West Distillery
Most popular bottles from the distillery
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High West Rendezvous Rye Whiskey Batch 19K12£74.99 Inc VAT -
High West Prairie American Blended Bourbon Whiskey£59.99 Inc VAT
A brief History
High West, Utah Region, USA. Founded in 2006.
High West feels different straight away. It’s not rooted in Kentucky tradition or Scottish peat fields. It started in Park City, Utah in 2006, founded by David Perkins, a former biochemist who decided to open the first legal distillery in Utah since the 1870s. That alone gives it a certain frontier energy.
The original site was a small operation attached to a ski-town saloon. Snow outside, whiskey inside. It worked. High West built its reputation not just on distilling, but on blending — taking sourced American whiskeys and creating distinctive house styles.
Over time, production expanded, and today High West distils and blends at larger facilities while keeping its mountain-town identity. The brand leans into the American West theme — rugged, outdoorsy, campfire-ready — but the liquid itself is serious.
If you like American whiskey with character and a bit of experimentation, High West is worth attention.
Taste Profile
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Spicy |
Sweet | Oaky / Woody |
High West whiskies tend to show bold American character. Expect caramel and vanilla from bourbon influence, alongside rye-driven spice in many of their blends. Cinnamon, clove, and peppery warmth often sit at the centre.
Some expressions, like Campfire, even introduce smoky Scotch into the blend, creating something unusual — sweet bourbon, spicy rye, and light peat smoke in one glass.
The texture is generally full-bodied and warming. These are not delicate drams. They’re built for flavour.
Top 4 Flavour Profile Ingredients
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Caramel / Toffee |
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Vanilla |
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Oak / Wood Spice |
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Cinnamon / Clove |
Most Popular Bottles
American Prairie Bourbon
Approachable and sweet. Caramel, vanilla, soft spice. A good entry point.
Double Rye!
Spicier and livelier. Strong cinnamon and herbal rye character.
Campfire
A blend of bourbon, rye, and peated Scotch. Sweet, smoky, and unusual.
Midwinter Night’s Dram
Limited seasonal release. Port-finished rye with rich fruit and spice. Highly sought after.
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The Distillery
The Distiller: High West Distillery
Address: 27649 Old Lincoln Highway, Wanship, Utah 84017, USA
 Open in maps |
 www.highwest.com |
 +1 435 649 8300 |
Visitor Centre & Opening Times
Yes — High West operates both a production distillery in Wanship and a saloon-style location in Park City.
Typical opening hours
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Daily
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Around 11:00 – 18:00 (varies by site and season)
Visitors can tour the distillery, enjoy tastings, and dine at the on-site restaurant.
Ownership History
Current Owner
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Constellation Brands (acquired majority stake in 2016)
Founder
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David Perkins (founded 2006)
The acquisition provided scale and distribution while retaining the brand’s western identity.
Distillery Facts
Overview & History
High West Distillery was founded in 2006 in Park City, Utah, becoming the first legal distillery in the state since 1870. Established by David Perkins, a former biochemist, the distillery began with a small 250-gallon still in a historic livery stable and saloon.
High West quickly gained recognition for blending sourced American whiskeys before expanding into in-house distillation. Today, production is centred at its larger facility in Wanship, Utah, while the original Park City location operates as a working distillery and restaurant.
Production
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Location: Park City (original site) and Wanship, Utah (main production)
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Water Source: Rocky Mountain snowmelt
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Distillation: Copper pot stills and column still distillation (for various mash bills)
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Mash Bills: Rye-heavy and bourbon-focused recipes
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Blending Model: Historically blended sourced straight rye and bourbon with proprietary distillate
High West became known for innovative blending strategies, combining straight whiskeys of different ages and mash bills to create layered flavour profiles.
Whisky Style
High West focuses on American whiskey styles rather than single malt.
Typical characteristics:
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Spice-forward rye structure
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Caramel and vanilla sweetness
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Toasted oak and baking spice
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Dry finish with herbal rye notes
Blended expressions often show complexity derived from marrying different age components.
Key Expressions
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Double Rye! – Blend of young and mature rye whiskeys, bold spice
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American Prairie Bourbon – Blend of straight bourbons, approachable sweetness
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Rendezvous Rye – Higher-aged rye blend with depth and pepper
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Midwinter Night’s Dram – Port-finished rye, seasonal limited release
Significance
High West played a central role in the modern American rye resurgence. Its blending-first model challenged traditional notions of distillery authenticity while proving that transparency and flavour quality could drive brand credibility.
It remains one of the most recognised premium American whiskey producers outside Kentucky and has influenced the broader craft whiskey movement in the United States.
High West Whisky to Buy
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