Whisky: Campfire
Producer: Constellation Brands
Distillery: Various
Region: Various
Whisky Type: Blended whiskey
Age: NAS
ABV: 46%
Aged in Cask: New charred American oak
Price Range: $$
High West distillery was founded in 2006 by David Perkins and his wife Jane. It is the first legal distillery in Utah since prohibition. Its business model is similar to that of Compass Box, Barrel Craft Spirits Distillery, and WhistlePig, sourcing whiskey from other distilleries to create new and interesting expressions.
High West Campfire is a brand bottled by High West Distillery and made from several distilleries and mash bills. The blend composition is as follows:
• Midwest Grain Products (MGP)- Rye: 95% Rye, and 5% Malted Barley. Bourbon: 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
• Highwest Distillery: 80% rye, 20% Malted Rye.
• Scotch Whisky: Undisclosed distilleries.
More info on High West official website.
Tasting Notes for High West Campfire
Nose: Fruit, caramel, light peat, and tannic aromas. Not a real campfire. (See my review of Lagavulin 11 Offerman edition for a real Campfire experience).
Palate: The arrival is tannic, developing fast into smoke, peat, pepper, oak, and plenty of spices. Many bourbons enter sweet and stay like that for a few seconds, but not this one. Instead, the bitterness, smoke-peat and spicy notes dominate the palate from the start. A bit disappointing. Water significantly improves the balance between sweet and smoke.
Finish: Medium. Smoke and some peat. Notes of oak and rye.
Conclusion: High West Campfire is an interesting blend. While I enjoy bourbon and Scotch on their terms, I find the combination of bourbon flavors and Scotch’s smoke and peat a little odd and without balance. If the whiskey had a better balance of sweet and smoke and peat flavors, I would have had a better experience. Unfortunately, the whiskey does not hold your hand to make the transition elegant. Overall is a good whiskey, but not my favorite.
Score: 3/5 ⭐
Legend
$50 or less $
$51-$100 $$
$101-$150 $$$
$151 or more $$$$
