High West

High West Distillery

Region
  • USA, Utah
Awards
  • Rendezvous Rye Whiskey, 2023 High West Double Rye Whiskey, Gold medal at the Denver International Spirits Competition (DISC) and a silver medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC)
Website
  • https://highwest.com/
Phone Number
  • +14356498300
Address
  • 27649 Old Lincoln Hwy, Wanship, UT 84017

History of High West Distillery

High West Distillery, founded in 2006 by David Perkins and his wife Jane, is Utah’s first legal distillery since 1870. David, a former biochemist, was inspired to start his own distillery after a visit to a whiskey distillery in Kentucky, seeing parallels between distilling and his work in biochemistry.

The Perkins family moved to Park City, Utah, in 2004 and began distilling in 2007, drawn by David’s love for the Old West and Utah’s whiskey history.

The distillery started in a small, 250-gallon still and saloon in a historic livery stable and garage in downtown Park City. It has since grown into an internationally recognized, award-winning brand. High West began with humble roots but has expanded significantly over the years.

In 2009, the High West Saloon in Park City opened, followed by the opening of the High West Distillery on Blue Sky in 2015, marking a new era for the brand. In 2016, High West was named Distiller of the Year by Whisky Advocate.

The High West Saloon

The High West Saloon, located at the bottom of Park City Resort’s Quittin’ Time ski run and next to the Town Lift, is notable as the world’s first and only ski-in gastro-distillery.

The distillery also preserves the historic Ellsworth J. Beggs house, built in 1914, and the original livery stable, symbolized in High West’s logo and bottle design.

Awards Won by High West Distillery

  • Rendezvous Rye Whiskey: This was the first commercial offering from High West Distillery. It won a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco Spirits competition in 2008, received a Malt Advocate Rating of 95, and was named one of Malt Advocate Magazine’s “Top 10 New Whiskies of 2008.”
  • High West Double Rye Whiskey: In May 2023, this whiskey won a gold medal at the Denver International Spirits Competition (DISC) and a silver medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC).
  • American Prairie Bourbon: This bourbon won gold medals from the 2023 DISC and the SFWSC.
  • High West, High Country whiskey: This single malt whiskey won a silver medal from the 2023 DISC and a bronze at the 2023 SFWSC.
  • High West Campfire: This blend of Scotch, bourbon, and rye whiskeys won gold from the 2023 SFWSC and silver from the 2023 DISC.
  • Rendezvous (double rye whiskey): Won a silver medal at the 2023 DISC.
  • Silver Whiskey OMG Pure Rye: In 2012, this whiskey received a bronze medal in the Clear Whiskey category at an award event (the name of the event was not specified).

In 2016, Whisky Advocate, a leading whiskey magazine in America, named High West as its “Distiller of the Year.”

High West Distillery Tour Information and Experience

High West Distillery offers a variety of unique experiences across its locations in Wanship and Park City, Utah, each providing a distinct aspect of its whiskey-making process and hospitality.

Distillery & Tasting Room in Wanship

  • Located 25 minutes outside Park City, the distillery offers tours led by whiskey experts. Visitors can explore the distillation process, blending, aging, and bottling operations.
  • Tours are available Thursday to Sunday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, starting every hour and lasting around 45 minutes.
  • The site includes a General Store, Restaurant, and event spaces for weddings and corporate events.
  • The Refectory at the distillery serves lunch from Wednesday to Saturday and brunch on Sundays.
  • Reservations for tours are strongly recommended.

High West Saloon in Park City

  • Situated in the heart of Old Town, Park City, the Saloon features a General Store and Restaurant.
  • It offers a unique event space for weddings and other events, seven days a week.
  • The Saloon operates Monday to Sunday from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm, welcoming guests 21 and over.
  • A special “Dare to Dram” tasting of A Midwinter Night’s Dram is available from January 4th to February 4th, Thursday to Sunday.

The Nelson Cottage

  • Located two doors up from the Saloon, The Nelson Cottage provides an intimate setting for events like wedding receptions and rehearsal dinners.
  • It offers weekly prix-fixe menu dinners with optional whiskey pairings, available Wednesday through Sunday at 5:30 pm and 8:30 pm.
  • The Cottage can seat 40 guests for plated events and up to 65 guests for buffet/reception style events, including outdoor patio seating.

Flask & Barrel Review of High West Distillery

As a seasoned whiskey collector who’s seen more than my fair share of distilleries, I’ve got to say, High West Distillery in Utah is something special. It’s not just about the whiskey here (which, by the way, is top-notch), it’s the whole vibe of the place that gets a solid 4.7 out of 5 from me.

First off, the setting in Wanship is just stunning. Nestled in the Utah hills, the distillery tour was an eye-opener. The guides know their stuff, walking you through the distilling process with a passion that’s contagious. And the tasting room? A real treat. Getting to sample some of their finest whiskeys was the highlight of my visit.

Then there’s the High West Saloon in Park City. It’s got this cool, old-timey feel that’s just right for sipping whiskey. The “Dare to Dram” tasting of A Midwinter Night’s Dram was a unique experience, and the staff were super knowledgeable and friendly.

The Nelson Cottage is another gem. The prix-fixe dinner with whiskey pairings? Chef’s kiss! It’s a cozy spot that feels both upscale and down-to-earth at the same time.

Why not a perfect score? Well, I’m a tough grader, and while the whiskey is exceptional, I’ve had slightly better experiences elsewhere in terms of variety. But don’t get me wrong, High West is a must-visit for any whiskey enthusiast. It’s got character, quality, and some of the best views around. I’ll definitely be back for more!

What To Do Nearby High West Distillery

  • Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley Resort: These resorts offer around 400 miles of trails for mountain biking and hiking, among other family-friendly activities. During winter, skiing and snowboarding are popular.
  • Utah Olympic Park: Home to the thrilling “The Comet” bobsled ride and zipline rides with a steep 500-foot vertical drop.
  • Historic Main Street in Park City: A hub for dining, shopping, and exploring Park City’s unique mining history.
  • Cultural Events: Park City hosts events like the Sundance Film Festival, Utah Symphony/Deer Valley Music Festival, and Kimball Arts Festival.
  • Outdoor Activities: The area is ideal for fly-fishing, hot air ballooning, horseback riding, river rafting, and golf.

Frequently Asked Questions

What restaurants are near High West Distillery?

  • Sammy’s Bistro Express: It has a rating of 4.7 stars on Google Maps. Their address is 1764 Uinta Way, Park City, UT 84098.
    For reservations, you can reach out to them on their phone at +14357318730. 
  • Sandwedge Café: It has a rating of 4.3 stars on Google Maps. Their address is 7603 E Mountain Dell Golf Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84109.
    For reservations, you can reach out to them on their phone at +13852101799. 
  • Billy Blanco’s: It has a rating of 4.4 stars on Google Maps. Their address is 8208 Gorgoza Pines Rd, Park City, UT 84098.
    For reservations, you can reach out to them on their phone at +14355750846.

What hotels are near High West Distillery?

  • Best Western Plus Landmark Inn: It has a rating of 4.5 stars on Google Maps. Their address is 6560 N Landmark Dr, Park City, UT 84098.
    For reservations, you can reach out to them on their phone at +14356497300. 
  • Black Rock Mountain Resort: It has a rating of 4.5 stars on Google Maps. Their address is 909 W Peace Tree Trail., Heber City, UT 84032.
    For reservations, you can reach out to them on their phone at +14355751700.