High West Distillery

High West Distillery claims the distinction of being Utah's first legal distillery since 1870. Founded in the mountains of Wanship, Utah, this operation has built its reputation on the art of blending, treating whiskey more like a winemaker approaches their craft than following traditional single-distillery methods.

History & Heritage

High West established itself in Utah's whiskey-making void, setting up operations in Wanship with additional tasting facilities in Park City. The distillery operates under "The Spirit of the West" philosophy, combining mountain heritage with modern whiskey-making techniques. Their commitment extends beyond whiskey through the "Protect the West" initiative, which has contributed over $1 million to conservation efforts since 2022.

The Whiskey

High West built its name on blending, particularly with expressions like their flagship bourbon, a carefully constructed blend of straight bourbons aged at least two years. Their portfolio spans bourbon, rye, and seasonal releases, with A Midwinter Night's Dram standing as their most celebrated limited offering. The Wanship facility handles the complete process from distillation through bottling, though much of their reputation rests on their blending prowess rather than solely their distillation.

Why It Matters

In an industry often focused on single-barrel purity and distillery provenance, High West proved that masterful blending deserves recognition. Their High West Bourbon earned gold at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, while Double Rye took silver the same year. For those who appreciate good whiskey, High West represents the mountain West's entry into serious whiskey conversation, bringing high-altitude aging to expressions that honor both tradition and innovation.