“Our goal was to embody the essence of these classic cocktails while incorporating our distinct High West flare. With a blend of bourbon and rye as the base, each has a unique added depth that sets them apart from other bottled cocktails,” shares Coyle. “We are proud to introduce them to both whiskey fans and cocktail lovers.”HIGH WESTClick to explore our complete library of reviews to help you choose your next perfect bottle.
High West Distillery Manhattan Barrel Finished Cocktail
- DISTILLER: MGP
- PRODUCER: High West Distillery
- MASH BILL:
- Straight Bourbon Whiskey: 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% barley malt from MGP
- Straight Rye Whiskey: 95% rye, 5% barley malt from MGP - RECIPE: Manhattan made with Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Straight Rye Whiskey, Vermouth, and bitters
- AGE: Cocktail is aged for 3 months in a used rye barrel
- YEAR: 2020
- PROOF: 74 Proof (37% ABV)
- MSRP: $49.99
- BUY ONLINE: Wine-Searcher.com
NOSE: Black Cherry | Spices | Vermouth
TASTE: Orange | Vanilla | Raisins | Spices
FINISH: Long with a nice warmth and a light sweetness.
SHARE WITH: Anyone. There may be some cocktail snobs out there that will turn their nose up at this one, but you can’t always make everyone happy.
WORTH THE PRICE: Falls right in line with other bottled manhattan products on the market.
BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bottle, especially if you don’t have the things at home to make a manhattan or are wanting to drink a manhattan while at a gathering or party.
OVERALL: Currently there are several bottled manhattans available on the market; High West has really put this one together well. All the right flavor components are there, and are well balanced. In the past when sampling bottled manhattans something was always off or missing for me, they just felt lacking. This was not the case with this offering from High West. If you are not able to make a manhattan at home, or are going to a gathering and don't want to spend time mixing drinks, this is a great alternative.
My father and I both love our manhattans. When he came down to visit I made us each one at my home bar. I asked him if he wanted another and poured him a High West manhattan instead. He couldn't even tell that I hadn't mixed it myself. Either I completely suck at mixing drinks, or High West did a great job at making a bottled mixed drink. I prefer to think High West produced an excellent drink.
Learn more about Kyle's whiskey preferences and check out more of his reviews…
HIGH WEST DISTILLERY DEBUTS BARREL-FINISHED COCKTAIL COLLECTION
WITH BOTTLED MANHATTAN AND OLD FASHIONED
Acclaimed Utah Distillery’s Highly Anticipated Pre-Batched Releases Now Available Nationwide
SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 - Park City, Utah —High West Distillery announces the launch of its first nationally available bottled whiskey cocktails with the release of a Barrel-Finished Manhattan and Barrel-Finished Old Fashioned. These new offerings are part of the distillery’s renewed focus on the premium pre-batched cocktail category, offering an exciting new sip for cocktail enthusiasts and whiskey fans alike.
Conceptualized by High West’s Master Distiller Brendan Coyle and Beverage Director Steve Walton, each barrel-finished cocktail is formulated using time-tested recipes and high-quality ingredients. Utilizing a blend of bourbon and rye for added complexity, the cocktails are masterfully crafted then matured in used rye barrels, allowing the flavors to marry for a rich, smooth and well-rounded final result.
“Our goal was to embody the essence of these classic cocktails while incorporating our distinct High West flare. With a blend of bourbon and rye as the base, each has a unique added depth that sets them apart from other bottled cocktails,” shares Coyle. “We are proud to introduce them to both whiskey fans and cocktail lovers.”
Each bottling comprises a harmonious blend of bourbon, rye and aromatic bitters, with the Barrel-Finished Old Fashioned (43% ABV, 86 Proof) featuring demerara simple syrup for a touch of sweetness while the Barrel-Finished Manhattan (37% ABV, 74 Proof) includes two types of vermouth. Both best enjoyed over ice, garnish the Old-Fashioned with a lemon and orange twist and the Manhattan with a brandied cherry.
“Our bar program has been the proving ground for these cocktail recipes. We experimented with and served variations on these cocktails from behind the bar for years, ultimately resulting in these final recipes. We developed them to be complex yet balanced, and they can be enjoyed on their own or when paired with food,” says Walton.
Having previously released versions of a Barrel-Finished Boulevardier and Manhattan, High West is already a leading brand in the premium pre-batched cocktail segment. Widely recognized for their excellence in whiskey blending and award-winning mixology programs at their Utah locations, High West’s new barrel-finished Manhattan and Old Fashioned cocktails combine both of these High West specialties, offering a premier cocktail experience.
High West barrel-finished cocktails are available for a suggested retail price of $49.99 per 750mL bottle—serving approximately 12 cocktails—and $29.99 per 375ml bottle, which serves six cocktails. The collection is currently available at select retail locations nationwide and will be available online at highwest.com this fall.
Kyle was born in St. Louis and has lived in the Midwest his entire life. His father introduced him to bourbon when he was 21 years old, and has been enjoying it ever since. Kyle has completed the Kentucky Bourbon Trail on three different occasions, and cannot wait for the opportunity to return. He shares his love of bourbon with his wife, Emily, who traveled the bourbon trail with him for their first wedding anniversary in 2011. He enjoys comparing bourbons from different distilleries and different areas of the country and enjoys sharing a glass with friends and family. Currently, he spends the majority of his time caring for his two young sons but manages to share his love of bourbon with them as well. His four year old frequently says, "When I'm older, I'm going to drink wine and bourbon."
Read Kyle's full profile.
About the Author
Thank you for sharing your review, definitely going to my hands on this one after everything opens up. Do you suggest any other way of getting it?
No problem. As for finding a bottle it really depends on where you are in the country. I have not seen any on our store shelves down south yet. Check out Wine-Searcher (there is a link in the article) if you want a bottle shipped to you. Might be your best bet right now.