I’m very intrigued to review this 2016 batch of High West’s Double Rye! (the ! is not a typo). Double Rye is one of High West’s core rye whiskeys, and with Rendezvous Rye, Yippie Ki Yay, and A Midwinter Night’s Dram, it’s also the most affordable and accessible. I’m so interested to do this review because in 2018 (denoted by the first two numbers in the batch number), Double Rye underwent an overhaul of how it was blended, making this 2016 batch a somewhat unique whiskey that is becoming even more difficult to find.
Prior to 2018, Double Rye was a blend of 2 year old MGP rye and 16 year old Barton rye, making it 100% sourced. That 16 year old Barton rye now is highly valued and probably impossible to get, so of course High West had to replace it sooner than later. As of 2018, Double Rye is a blend of 2 year old MGP rye and their own distillate that’s up to 7 years old. If you want to learn more about the change, WhiskyAdvocate.com has an informative article that goes into more detail.
In this High West Double Rye review, let’s find out if these older batches are worth savoring and searching out for your shelf.