Description
High West Campfire puts three whiskey styles in one bottle. You get straight , straight , and a smoky blended malt . David Perkins founded High West in 2006 in Park City, Utah. It was the first licensed distillery in the state since Prohibition.
The idea came to Perkins on a visit to Scotland. He was served honeydew melon drizzled with peat syrup and loved how fruit and smoke played together. Campfire chases that same contrast. The rye is 95% rye and 5% barley malt. The bourbon is 75% corn, 21% rye and 4% barley malt. The Scotch source stays secret for contract reasons. It is bottled at 92 proof.
Start with the nose. You get butterscotch, shortbread and jasmine, then sandalwood, pine resin and worn leather. A gentle thread of smoke ties it all together.
The palate brings vanilla, salted caramel and toasted brioche. Red berry compote, orange zest and chai spice follow, with cedar and pipe tobacco underneath. The finish is sweet and smoky, and the spice lingers for a while.
Sip it neat or on a single large cube. It also makes a lovely smoky Old Fashioned. High West suggests enjoying it by a fire with s’mores. Smoked brisket, grilled meats or dark chocolate are good partners too.
This is a fun pour if you love bourbon but feel curious about peat. The smoke stays gentle, so it never takes over the sweet fruit and spice.
