High West Yippee Ki-Yay is one of the most experimental and talked about releases from High West Distillery in Park City, Utah, a limited, batch numbered blend of straight rye whiskeys given an unusual double wine barrel finish. The whiskey begins as a marriage of straight ryes aged between two and sixteen years, drawing on a high rye recipe and an older, corn inclusive rye, then takes an adventurous turn: it is finished in oak barrels that previously held vermouth, from Vya in Madera, California, and Syrah wine, from Qupe in Santa Maria, California. The result is unlike almost anything else in the rye category. It pours a striking ruby tinged rose gold, a color drawn straight from the Syrah casks, and offers a remarkably floral, wine forward nose of fresh cinnamon, crushed blackberries and cassis, warm stone fruit, and a herbal lift of sage and thyme. The palate is sweet and richly fruited, with vanilla, caramel, dark berries, and the distinctive botanical, vermouth driven character that sets this whiskey apart, like a rye built for a Manhattan in a single pour, leading to a clean finish with hints of orange peel, mint, and honey. Non chill filtered and bottled at 46 percent ABV, it is delicious neat, over a large cube as an aperitif, or as the backbone of an exceptional cocktail. Released only in limited showings and now discontinued, this batch numbered bottling is a distinctive collector's piece and a must try for adventurous rye drinkers and fans of wine finished whiskey.
ABV / Proof
| Brand |
High West |
| Distillery |
High West Distillery, Park City, Utah (blend of sourced and house ryes) |
| Producer |
High West Distillery |
| Category |
Blended Straight Rye Whiskey (wine barrel finished) |
| Expression |
Yippee Ki-Yay (Limited Showing); this bottle Batch No. 18C28 |
| Age Statement |
No age statement (blend of ryes aged 2 to 16 years) |
| Mashbill |
Blend of straight ryes (e.g. 95% rye / 5% malted barley and 53% rye / 37% corn components) |
| Maturation |
Aged in new charred oak, then finished in ex vermouth (Vya) and ex Syrah (Qupe) wine barrels; non chill filtered |
| Bottling |
Limited Showing, batch numbered; now discontinued |
| ABV |
46% |
| Proof |
92 |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
| Region |
Utah (blended/finished); sourced ryes |
Tasting Notes
Color: Ruby tinged rose gold.
Nose: Floral and wine forward, with fresh cinnamon, crushed blackberries and cassis, warm stone fruit, and herbal sage and thyme.
Palate: Sweet and richly fruited, with vanilla, caramel, dark berries, and botanical vermouth character.
Finish: Clean, with orange peel, mint, and honey.
FAQ
What makes Yippee Ki-Yay unique? It is a blend of straight rye whiskeys finished in both vermouth and Syrah wine barrels, giving it a floral, fruity, wine forward character and a distinctive ruby rose gold color.
What proof is it? 92 proof, or 46 percent ABV. As a batch product, the ABV can vary very slightly between batches.
How old is it? No single age statement; it is a blend of straight ryes aged between 2 and 16 years.
How should I drink it? Neat, over a large cube as an aperitif or digestif, or in a cocktail such as a Manhattan, where its wine and botanical notes shine.
Is it still made? It was released only in limited showings and is now discontinued, making remaining bottles increasingly collectible.
Where can I buy High West Yippee Ki-Yay online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
