Park City, Utah (2026) — High West Distillery proudly marks its 20th anniversary in 2026, celebrating two decades of boundary-pushing blending, award-winning releases, and a steadfast commitment to whiskey innovation. Founded in 2006 by David Perkins in Utah’s Salt Lake Valley, High West has grown from a small blending operation into one of the most respected names in American whiskey.
From its early days in a modest warehouse to its expansion into Park City in 2008 and the opening of a large-scale distillery in 2016, High West has maintained a core identity as a blending house — while expanding into bottled-in-bond bourbon, American single malts, and innovative limited releases.
A Legacy Built on Blending
High West’s reputation is rooted in its blending expertise. Drawing from in-house distillate, trusted partners, and carefully selected secondary sources, the distillery creates complex, balanced expressions that showcase multiple mash bills and extended aging.
Their iterative blending approach layers components ranging from six to over twenty years old, incorporating heirloom grains and diverse yeast strains to build depth and character.
“It’s like alchemy,” Isaac Winter describes. “You take different whiskies, blend them, and hope the final product sings its own story.”
Leadership emphasizes that blending will always define the brand’s DNA.
“Our blending style is iterative,” Winter explains. “We try things, taste, adjust, and keep pushing the envelope — all while maintaining quality.”
Signature Releases and Fan Favorites
High West’s portfolio features standout expressions that continue to generate strong consumer demand:
- Midwinter Night’s Dram — A flagship seasonal release celebrated for its rich, spiced profile.
- High West Bottle & Bond Bourbon — A classic bottled-in-bond expression with baked apple and nutty undertones.
- High West Cask Strength — A bold blend of five mash bills bottled at approximately 117 proof.
- Campfire — A distinctive blend of bourbon, rye, and American malt delivering a smoky-sweet finish.
Tasting notes from recent cask strength releases highlight butter-poached green apples, candied Meyer lemons, toasted walnuts, cinnamon, roasted marshmallow, graham cracker, and a lingering spice-driven finish.
Innovation Through Flexibility
High West’s ability to balance in-house production with sourced whiskey provides flexibility rarely seen in the industry. The team frequently experiments with unique cask finishes, including Kelvin barrels known for sweet, marshmallow-like notes, as well as collaborative projects such as cacao-infused whiskey crafted with Utah-based partners.
Limited anniversary releases in 2026 will commemorate the brand’s 20-year milestone, offering collectors and enthusiasts rare, small-batch expressions.
Community and Consumer Engagement
High West continues to build loyalty through its Saloon Society membership program, educational tastings, and transparent storytelling around its blending process. Visitors to the Park City distillery can experience guided tours, curated tastings, and exclusive releases.
As the brand enters its third decade, High West remains focused on innovation, craftsmanship, and strengthening its whiskey community.
For more information about anniversary releases, distillery visits, and upcoming collaborations, visit the official High West website.
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