This High West Double Rye Boulevardier Finish comes from High West’s Barrel Select program where bars, restaurants, liquor stores and even private groups get to pick their own barrel of whiskey. This particular barrel was picked by Nasa Liquor in Texas. I’ve had several of their picks over the last year or so and I have to say, these guys pick stuff that’s right up my alley.
What sets this High West Double Rye Boulevardier Finish apart from the regular HWDR is, as the name implies, the Boulevardier finish. What is a Boulevardier finish you might ask? Well if you’re not familiar with the cocktail it’s a mixture of bourbon, vermouth and amaro which High West ages in some of their old barrels before bottling. These barrels are then further used to finish some of their single barrels. This one in particular was allowed to finish for 2 years.
High West Double Rye Boulevardier Finish Info
Region: Indiana, USA & Kentucky, USA
Distiller: MGP & Barton
Blender: High West
Bottled For: Nasa Liquor
Blend: 2-Years-Old MGP + More-Than-2-Years-Old Barton
Mashbill: MGP = 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley | Barton = 53% Rye, 37% Corn, 10% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak + Ex-Boulevardier Barrel for 2 years
Age: NAS (technically at least 4 years)
ABV: 53.6%
Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color | Single Barrel
Barrel: 2570
Bottle: 76
Price: $50
High West Double Rye Boulevardier Finish Review
EYE
Rudy caramel
NOSE
Spiced fruit cake, brown sugar, dried dark fruit, leather, pepper, dill and a light funky-molasses essence that reminds me of a good rum.
PALATE
Cinnamon, orange jelly candy, dill, brown sugar, pink peppercorns, oak, dried dark fruit and touches of Tootsie Rolls, vanilla and a jelly-like sweetness.
FINISH
Long dilly fade sprinkled with cinnamon, Tootsie Rolls, brown sugar, dried dark fruit and vanilla.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Good sense of balance, full body and a warm oily feel.
OVERALL
I had a High West Double Rye Boulevardier Finish last year I didn’t care for. I distinctly remember it was only finished for a year and it felt disjointed – like a clumsily made cocktail. This one however, was aged for 2 years in the boulevardier barrel and it feels much more cohesive and rich. Decently balanced throughout, the aroma sits a touch heavy on the sweet side while the palate sits a touch heavy on the spice side and the finish rides it right down the middle.
This High West Double Rye Boulevardier Finish a good whiskey and over the last couple weeks I’ve found myself coming home and heading straight for this as my after-work pour. It’s fun, interesting, dynamic and a little weird. It seems like when checking out Boulevardier finished High West store picks look for ones that’ve spent at least 2 years in the Boulivardier barrels. That added time makes a world, or at least an entire letter grade, of difference.
SCORE: 87/100 (B+)