High West Cask Strength Bourbon Review 2026 Release

High West
Cask Strength Bourbon
2026 Limited-Edition
Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskeys
117 Proof
SRP: $69.99
Review

Please enjoy our High West Cask Strength Bourbon Review!

High West has released High West Cask Strength Bourbon, a limited-edition blend of straight bourbons aged between 6 and 20 years and bottled at 117 proof. On the blend, Distilling Director Isaac Winter stated:

“This was a really fun blend to put together. Building on our high-rye blending philosophy, this Cask Strength expression uses our Bourye blending approach to precisely balance rye-driven spice with malted barley richness, resulting in layered complexity and a bold, lasting presence that keeps you coming back.”

The Details – High West Cask Strength Bourbon Review

• Type: Limited-edition blend of straight bourbon whiskeys
• Age: Straight bourbons aged between 6 and 20 years
• Barrels: Finished in new, charred American white oak barrels
• Mash Bills:
  • 60% Corn, 40% Malted Barley (Kentucky);
  • 60% Corn, 40% Rye (Kentucky)
  • 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley (Indiana)
  • 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Malted Barley (Kentucky)
  • 84% Corn, 8% Rye, 8% Malted Barley (Tennessee)
• ABV: 58.5%
• Proof: 117
• SRP: $69.99
• Availability: National Limited Release
• Filtration: Non-Chill Filtered

Tasting Notes – High West Cask Strength Bourbon Review

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested: 15 minutes in a Glencairn

Ed

👉🏻 Nose: Moderately sweet simple syrup; licorice, rich caramel, honey; apples, cherries; Juicy Fruit gum; hot cinnamon; hints of tart orange citrus; touch of black tea later on; alcohol vapor appropriate for the proof
👉🏻 Taste: Moderately sweet syrupy simple syrup; hot cinnamon, Juicy Fruit gum; mild char
👉🏻 Finish: Noticeable hot cinnamon spice, long; fairly dry; faintly lingering sweetness and fruit; mild barrel char

Dean

👉🏻 Nose: Oak up front, black tea, a little bit of cherry vanilla and allspice
👉🏻 Taste: Stone fruits, cherry, sweet tea with lemon, black pepper
👉🏻 Finish: Fruit lingered, sweet red pepper, dry, mild barrel char

Sweet Up Front, Hot Cinnamon Through the Finish

High West Cask Strength Bourbon is an initially sweet, cinnamon-spice and fruit-forward bourbon. The nose is complex and layered, with the flavors varying from sip to sip. The sweetness and fruit are most noticeable at first, with the spicier and more tart notes appearing later on. Those flavors carry over into the palate, with the spice beginning to take center stage and becoming even more pronounced in the finish. Dean had a bit of a different experience, with the fruit not being as evident on the nose, but rather more evident on the palate.

At 117 proof, the alcohol vapor was noticeable on my first pour from the freshly opened bottle. However, on subsequent pours, the heat had dissipated somewhat, and this relatively high-proof bourbon became dangerously easy to drink.

A Solid 117 Proof Limited Release

High West Cask Strength Bourbon is a higher-proof release that drinks a bit easier than its 117 proof might suggest. It has plenty of layers to keep it interesting, but it never feels overdone. From pour to pour, it remains an approachable and very enjoyable dram.

This bourbon brings together sweetness, fruit, and spice at a proof that gives it presence without becoming overwhelming. If you are comfortable in the 110+ proof range and enjoy a bourbon that balances sweetness with assertive spice, this one is worth a try. Have you had High West Cask Strength Bourbon? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

We hope you have enjoyed our High West Cask Strength Bourbon Review! Next, check out my High West Double Rye! Review!

Note: This sample was graciously provided by the Brand for my review. I appreciate it!

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