High West American Prairie Bourbon
Origin: USA / 46% / Price: 40-45€
High West, probably THE hype indie distillery of the last 2-3 years in the US. I knew them (hipster, I know) a few years before that, when they were first partly available in Germany with their exciting Campfire Whiskey and Double Rye back then. These days every American interested even roughly in bourbon and most European bourbon fans know them, back then they were not yet available even in the U.S. in many states.
With this bottle we have a blend of differently aged bourbons in front of us, according to information from the distillery and online shops between 3 and 13 years (although it is probably a small amount above 6y) and accordingly priced as one of the entry-level products of High West.
Nevertheless, it is very good as your go-to bourbon, what I particularly like is the not quite so intense sweetness and especially no "glue note" as many scotch-maltheads like to criticize in bourbons. He can be enjoyed neat just as well as a major player in your quality cocktails. Something I (being a Scotch fan too) can’t say about a number of other bourbons used for cocktails in quite some high class bars.
Nose:
Salted peanuts, dry corn, cereals with a little honey, vanilla, sweet grasses and some toffee, macadamia later
Taste:
Smooth yet voluminous attack, nice dry leather, autumn leaves, subtle earthiness, peanuts, corn, honey, toffee, vanilla, sweet grasses, the macadamia again, some coconut chips further back, subtle toasted oak flavors
Finish:
Rounded oak, coconut, earthy overtones continue, salted peanuts, medium length
