Bourye is a blend of straight Bourbon and Rye whiskies, and the 2017 release is blended from MGP-distilled whiskies matured for between 10 and 14 years. There are two Ryes in the blend: one MGP’s standard 95% rye and 5% malted barley mashbill and the second made from 53% rye, 37% corn, and 5% malted barley. The Bourbon mashbill is 75% corn, 21% rye, and 5% malted barley. That’s where High West’s transparency comes to an end, as the actual ages and percentages of each whiskey in the blend remains a secret.

The nose has a good balance of sweetness and spice with notes of molasses, honey, and caramel complementing allspice and hints of clove and dill with a nice oakiness in the background. The taste starts off with a touch of dill followed closely by an explosion of clove and allspice that fades slowly to reveal honey and molasses sweetness along with the dill. The finish is long with lingering spices and a slight touch of licorice. (April, 2017)