High West, a renowned distillery known for its premium whiskey, initially sourced its whiskey from other distilleries before starting to produce its own. One of their popular whiskey offerings, Rendezvous Rye, was a blend of two different rye whiskeys sourced from two well-known distilleries.
The first component of Rendezvous Rye was a 6-year-old rye whiskey, which was distilled at the MGP distillery in Indiana. MGP has gained a reputation for producing high-quality rye whiskey, and their 95% rye mash bill is highly regarded in the industry. This particular whiskey contributed to the robust and spicy character of Rendezvous Rye.
The second component of Rendezvous Rye was a 16-year-old rye whiskey, which was sourced from the Barton distillery in Kentucky. Barton, with its 80% rye mash bill, offered a different flavor profile compared to the MGP whiskey. The additional aging of this whiskey added richness and complexity to the final blend.
While the individual whiskeys were sourced from Indiana and Kentucky, the blending process itself took place in Utah at the High West distillery. High West took pride in their blending expertise and craftsmanship, carefully selecting and combining the different whiskeys to create a well-balanced and flavorful product.
In addition to sourcing their whiskey from other distilleries, High West also used water from local sources in Utah during the blending process. Water plays a crucial role in the production of whiskey, affecting the overall flavor and mouthfeel. By utilizing local water, High West incorporated a unique element of terroir into their whiskey, reflecting the characteristics of the Utah region.
It's worth mentioning that High West has also expanded its operations over the years and now produces its own whiskey on-site at their distillery in Utah. This allows them to have more control over the entire whiskey-making process, from grain to bottle. However, the practice of sourcing whiskey from other distilleries and blending them together remains an integral part of High West's portfolio.
As an expert sommelier and brewer, I have had the pleasure of tasting High West's Rendezvous Rye on multiple occasions. The combination of the MGP and Barton whiskeys resulted in a superbly balanced and complex flavor profile. The spicy and robust notes from the MGP rye were complemented by the rich and mellow characteristics of the Barton rye. The blending expertise of High West was evident in the seamless integration of these two distinct whiskeys.
High West initially sourced their whiskey from renowned distilleries in Indiana and Kentucky to create their popular Rendezvous Rye. The blending process took place in Utah, where High West utilized local water sources to add a unique element to their whiskey. While they now produce their own whiskey, the practice of sourcing and blending continues to be an important aspect of High West's whiskey-making tradition.