High West The Noble Share Review: Amburana Strikes Again

BOTTLE DETAILS

• DISTILLER: High West Distillery
• MASH BILL: Blend of MGP-distilled rye (95% rye | 5% malted barley) and High West-distilled rye (80% rye | 20% malted rye)
• AGE: 4-10 years old
• YEAR: 2024
• PROOF: 104
• MSRP: $175
• BUY ONLINE: Buy at High West's Bottle Shop

DREW'S NOTES

SHARE WITH: Rye whiskey fans and tequila lovers alike. Those who appreciate a unique finished whiskey. And definitely Amburana lovers!

WORTH THE PRICE: Nope. It's an interesting whiskey from a well-respected brand, but even without the 4-year-old rye in the blend, it's hard to justify a price tag this high. I could maybe get behind half the MSRP. Maybe.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bar. This one definitely won't be for everybody, so I highly recommend you test drive it at a well-stocked watering hole first. Given its limited availability, it might be hard to pin down, but it's worth the investigation first. If you love tequila and Amburana-finished whiskeys (especially Amburana-finished whiskeys), you might be able to pull the trigger with a bit more confidence.

OVERALL: High West successfully pushed the boundaries of whiskey-making even before craft stopped being a dirty word. Bottles like Midwinter Nights Dram, Campfire, and Bourye have cult followings to this day despite a seemingly endless supply of unique options crowding ever-growing whiskey shelves. And deservedly so. High West's innovations haven't all been winners though. My first sip of the distillery's Yippee Ki-Yay, for instance, was also my last. And this latest limited release is giving off some Yippee Ki-Yay vibes for me.

That whiskey started life not unlike The Noble Share with a blend of mature, sourced ryes and younger rye whiskey produced at the distillery in Park City, Utah. While Yippee Ki-Yay struggled to find balance with heavy-handed wine and vermouth finishing casks, The Noble Share fights the same fight on two very different fronts: Marques de Casa Noble Anejo Tequila casks and Amburana barrels.

From what I can tell, the Amburana is winning. On the nose, big notes of Saigon cinnamon, toasted coconut, and aromatic mesquite are bold and sweet and borderline overpowering. Subtle notes of citrus, golden agave syrup, and rye spice struggle to stand up to that gingery, almost floral, aromatic so familiar in pretty much every whiskey that gets within a city block of a Brazilian oak barrel. On the palate, it's more of the same with overly generous top notes of cinnamon sugar and candied ginger, peppery and warm, that give way a smidge on the midpalate to buttery apple pie, agave pulp, and citrus peel. The finish builds on that orchard fruit/baking spice combo, delivering a long conclusion of savory pear tarts and apple turnovers heavily dusted in freshly grated baking spice.

It's a unique whiskey to be sure, and I can see cracking it out as a fun after-dinner pour or holiday dram. I probably don't appreciate Amburana-finished whiskeys as much as some, and for those folks this limited release from High West may even be worth the asking price.

BRAND NOTES

“High West is honored to blend its rich whiskey traditions with Casa Noble’s storied heritage,” said Tara Lindley, Director of Sensory & New Product Development at High West Distillery. “While the Casa Noble Marques Añejo barrels are at the heart of this expression, a portion of the blend has also been finished in Amburana barrels – adding layers of complexity and introducing a delicate hint of cinnamon that beautifully complement the bold, spice-forward character of High West rye. Together, these barrels create a richly textured, harmonious expression that celebrates the artistry of blending.”

"This collaboration between Casa Noble and High West is a true celebration of craftsmanship and tradition, where the bold, botanical spice of High West rye meets the refined elegance of Casa Noble's Marques Añejo French Oak barrels. Together, we’ve created something exceptional that bridges the worlds of whiskey and tequila.” said Pepe Hermosillo, Founder of Casa Noble Tequila. "This partnership allowed us to push boundaries, merging the richness of aged tequila with the spice-forward character of High West rye. The result is a whiskey with layers of flavor that tell a story of innovation and respect for tradition, creating a truly unforgettable tasting experience."

• On The Nose: Ripe mango, ruby grapefruit, spiced apple cider, piloncillo sugar, anise, allspice berries, mesquite wood, sunset walk through an agave field
• Tasting Notes: Baked pear, charred peaches, cooked agave, ginger molasses cookie, freshly fried churro, orange blossom, cinnamon bark, black licorice, oak, leather
• Finish: Pink peppercorns, dark agave honey on a sopapilla

Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.