High West Rendezvous Rye 21C23 Review

This High West Rendezvous Rye 21C23 marks the beginning of a significant change to the long-loved Rendezvous Rye. No longer a standard release, it joins the ranks of their annual releases, but as a seasonal release… it’s now a seasonal release. So, it’s limited, but not quite Midwinter Night’s Dram or Bourye limited. It also has new label art by artist Ed Mell.

In addition to the new art and new release schedule is a new blend recipe containing “more of High West’s own coveted pot still rye”. A lot has changed with this release, but it’s not all additions, there have been some subtractions too. Namely on their label… like the missing state of distillation.

Why in the gosh-darn heck did you guys (High West) abandon your previously on-point labeling practices? Sure you put it on the site, but there is no state of distillation, or age, on the bottle. WTH(eck) guys? You’re better than this, we all know you are. It’s irksome to see them go back from being the shining example of how to do it right, to… not.

But,not that that’s out of the way, let’s shift gears, get to drinkin’, and talk about the whiskey.

High West Rendezvous Rye 21C23 – Details and Tasting Notes

Whiskey Details

Region: IN & UT, USA

Distiller: High West and MGP
Blender: High West
Blend: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley (MGP) + 80% Rye, 20% Malted Rye (High West)
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 4+ Years (blend of 4-7 yo whiskey listed on site)
ABV: 46%

Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Batch: 21C23

Price: NA – $70*

White background tasting shot with the High West Rendezvous Rye 21C23 bottle and a glass of whiskey next to it.

“The limited release label on the limited release features custom artwork crafted by the iconic Ed Mell, an artist whose timeless Western landscapes bring to life High West’s signature spirit.” – High West

Tasting Notes

EYE
Caramel

NOSE
Dilly, woody, caramel, coppery, peppery, herbal, lemony and a touch fruity with some notes of citrus peel and taffy sweetness.

It’s a noticeably different profile than the old Rendezvous Rye, but that’s to be expected as sources and blends change and this latest iteration ain’t bad.

PALATE
Dilly, woody, caramel, coppery, peppery, herbal, lemony, touch fruity and leathery with a smidge of overripe veg that opens to some slight notes of minerally clay and vanilla taffy.

Palate of the High West Rendezvous Rye 21C23 has an overall essence that’s a bit like a citra hop IPA whiskey… interesting.

FINISH
Long -> Copper, dilly herbal, spice and woody fade.

BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Decent balance, medium body and a warm feel that’s a touch dry.

High West Rendezvous Rye 21C23 – Overall Thoughts and Score

There is a bit of woodiness to it that feels a bit unintegrated, but it’s not bad or crafty. More like, it’s a rye that needs a tad more time to come into its own and I find myself neither truly loving or hating this rye when drinking neat. I like that a deep dilly spice surges forward after a while and inches up to remind me, just a bit, of the MGP glory of old. I don’t like that these memories of glory get punctured by some woody notes and bring me back down.

On the whole the High West Rendezvous Rye 21C23 is ok as a pour, but when it comes to cocktails the game changes and this turns into a superstar. It excels in all of the usuals, especially an Old Fashioned and Sazerac, and ends up pushing the spice up everywhere it was tested. This is going to make for a heck of a summer cocktail rye.

SCORE: 3/5

*Disclosure: The bottle for this rye whiskey review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.

High West Rendezvous Rye 21C23 Review $70

Summary

It’s not quite there as a sipping rye, but as a cocktail rye… wow… WOW. It adds a wonderful punch of spice and dry citrus to any cocktail and quickly evens out sweeter notes. Lovely.