High West Distillery Welcomes the New Year With New Cask Strength Bourbon Release

High West Distillery is kicking off the New Year with the release of Cask Strength, a new limited-edition blend of straight bourbon whiskeys that balances bold flavor with broad appeal. Designed to welcome both longtime whiskey enthusiasts and those newer to cask strength expressions, the release joins High West’s lineup of well-known core offerings.

Cask Strength is available nationwide in limited quantities and can also be purchased directly at the High West Saloon and through the High West website beginning January 12.

The release coincides with a major milestone for High West, following Distilling Director Isaac Winter earning his Master Distiller Certification. The distinction is awarded through a rigorous process rooted in long-standing American whiskey traditions and marks a significant achievement for the distillery.

Speaking on the new release, Winter shared insight into the blending approach behind Cask Strength:

“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.”

Cask Strength is a small-batch blend of straight bourbons aged between 6 and 20 years. The whiskey is finished in new, charred American white oak barrels, delivering depth, complexity, and balance while preserving the intensity expected from a full-proof release.

Blend & Technical Details

Mash Bills Included:

  • 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

Nose: Butter-poached green apples, candied Meyer lemons, cornbread drizzled with honey, brioche toast points, crushed walnuts, allspice, sarsaparilla, fresh hay, new wooden porch swing

Palate: Sweet plantains with cinnamon, dried apricots, peach crumble, homemade toffee, Earl Grey Crème tea, nutmeg, rose, hickory, seasoned oak

Finish: Kumquat, white chocolate, velvety spice

ABV: 58.5%
Proof: 117
Filtration: Non-chill filtered
SRP: $69.99
Availability: National limited release

With its layered flavor profile, high-proof intensity, and thoughtful blending philosophy, High West Cask Strength arrives as a confident start to the year—offering a robust yet approachable bourbon that reflects both the distillery’s evolution and its continued commitment to blending innovation.

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