High West Campfire Whiskey Review
If you’re anything like me, you enjoy a wide variety of whiskeys. You might favor a particular style, but you occasionally dip your tastebuds in other styles. Personally, I prefer bourbon, especially those with a higher rye content; that probably explains why I love a good rye whiskey as well. So what happens when you blend bourbon, rye, and Scotch whiskeys into one?
High West Distillery in Park City, Utah decided to find out. Here’s more info from High West’s website:
One morning at the Bruichladdich distillery B&B, High West Founders David and Jane Perkins smelled peat in the air. The great ladies that made the meals were simmering a bottle of peated whiskey and sugar! Later that night, they brought out dessert of ripe honeydew drizzled with the peated syrup. That was the most unusual, delicious and memorable ending to a dinner they had ever had. The combination of melon and sweet smoke really worked – so (naturally…) David thought why not mix sweet bourbon and peat? The main flavor (or melody) is sweet honey from a ripe bourbon. The enhancing flavor (or harmony) is floral fruity spice from a mature rye whiskey. The accent (Satchmo’s gravelly voice!) is smoke from a peated scotch whisky. The proportions? Top secret.
According to High West, all three whiskeys are not chill-filtered, or carbon-treated, and all three are sourced. The bourbon comes from MGP and has a mash bill of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% barley. The rye whiskey also comes from MGP, with a mash bill of 95% rye and 5% barley. The Scotch is a blended malt whisky made of 100% barley malt from an unnamed distillery.
JONATHAN'S HIGH WEST CAMPFIRE WHISKEY REVIEW
Name: High West Campfire Whiskey
Proof: 92 proof / 46% ABV
Age: 5 years or older according to High West
Year: 2016
How I Drank It: Neat in a Glencairn whiskey glass, later with a splash of water
Nose: Toffee | Hazelnut | Butterscotch | Peat
Taste: Caramel | Spice Cake | Iodine
The Burn: Very little burn initially, but after a couple sips the burn sneaks up and lingers, fading slowly but smoothly. Dangerously smooth whiskey, especially at 92 proof.
Neat, Splash or Rocks: I preferred Campfire neat, but adding a splash of water brought out a floral honey that I didn’t taste initially, which was nice. I think chilling or adding ice would mute the flavors too much.
Share With: This is a smooth, enjoyable whiskey great for sitting on the porch with a cigar, or around a campfire with a few friends. Approachable by bourbon, rye, and Scotch lovers alike, High West definitely has a winner with Campfire.
Worth The Price: I was provided a free sample, so in all honesty, had I not tried it for free, I might have passed by High West Campfire at my local retailer. That said, having tried Campfire, I am sold. Online it ranges between $50 and $60 for a 750 ml; at that price point, I would buy it again. If anything, give it a try if you see it on the shelf at your local bar.
Disclaimer: Special thanks to High West Distillery for providing Bourbon & Banter with a sample of their whiskey.
We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their product with no strings attached.