Highline Spirits Whiskey Reviews: Triple Rye, Bourbon, American, and Kentucky Whiskeys

 

We’re at the point in the Wonderful World of Whiskey when we see more women-owned or headed brands. Today, we’ll visit Highline Spirits, which was founded in Michigan earlier this year.

 

The dream began with its CEO and founder, Christi Lower. Her resume includes working in medicine, being a mom, and a long-time whiskey fan. Christi hired Kate Arbour as the company’s Director of Operations. Kate spent over 20 years in global hospitality and executive project management. She’s a proud breast cancer survivor. Christi also selected Kate Keister, an eight-year warehouse and supply chain management veteran, as her Warehouse and Production Manager. Kate is an active member of the LGBTQ+ community.   

 

“Our goal was to inspire others to believe in themselves, follow their curiosity, cast out doubt, and do things their way. This isn’t easy, but beyond fear and uncertainty is where you discover more.

You know that feeling when you discover something incredible? Something that you didn’t know you could do, that you didn’t know existed, that you just want to bask in the awe of just how special it is? That feeling is everything. It’s the inspiration for all we do.” – Highline Spirits

 

Highline Spirits’ future includes gin, vodka, rum, and tequila production.

 

Today, we’ll dive deep and explore all four Highline Spirits whiskeys: Triple Rye, 8-Year Kentucky Straight, Bourbon, and American Whiskey Blend.

 

Before I can #DrinkCurious, I must thank Highline Spirits for providing me with samples of each in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest reviews.

 

I tried each of these neat in my Glencairn glass. There was a palate cleanser between each pour.

 

Highline Triple Rye Whiskey

 

The first of the four is Highline Triple Rye. It blends 5-year, 5-1/2 year, and 10-year straight Rye whiskeys. Packaged at 48.5% ABV (97°), it has a suggested price of $82.50 for 750ml.

 

Appearance: The brassy-gold liquid formed a thick rim that held glued-on droplets. Slowly – very slowly – they began to crawl down the wall.

 

Nose: I smelled both floral and spicy notes. Mint, dill, molasses, and vanilla permeated my nostrils. Drawing the air through my lips re-introduced me to the molasses.

 

Palate: I encountered a slightly creamy, medium-bodied texture. The front of my palate found vanilla, caramel, and nutmeg. There were sweet notes at its midpoint, including cherries and plums, while the back offered clove, cinnamon spice, and charred oak.

 

Finish: Long and bold, the finish consisted of cinnamon and rye spices, clove, mint, green peppercorn, and charred oak.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Triple Rye Whiskey was flavorful and seemed more potent than the stated proof. That’s not to suggest it was “hot” because that would be an incorrect assessment. While the distilleries are undisclosed, I recognized a familiar MGP-like 95% rye/5% malted barley quality. While I appreciate that a 10-year Rye component isn’t overly abundant, the younger ones are. It is an enjoyable whiskey that would take a Bottle rating except for its price. As such, I’m forced to give it a Bar rating.     

 

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Highline 8-Year Kentucky Straight Whiskey

 

Next is the Kentucky Straight Whiskey. While we don’t know the mashbill, besides having a high barley content, it is aged 8 years and packaged at 50% ABV (100°). A 750ml bottle has a suggested price of $51.50.

 

Appearance:  The liquid in my glass appeared like the color of straw. A thin rim generated fat, slick tears.

 

Nose: This whiskey’s aroma included charred oak, ginger, nutmeg, clove, and a vanilla kiss. Milk chocolate coated my tongue when I pulled the air through my lips.

 

Palate: The thin mouthfeel made me think: holy moley is this hot! The second sip was far more palatable, with a good dose of vanilla, caramel, and brown sugar on the front. The middle was challenging to pick out because the back quickly overtook it. However, I was able to discern nutmeg and gingerbread. The back tasted of bold clove, pimentos, and poblano peppers.   

 

Finish: Highline’s Straight Kentucky Whiskey had one of those freight train, unstoppable finishes. It just rolled on and on for several minutes. What remained were ginger, poblano peppers, clove, and brown sugar.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: The 8-year Straight Kentucky Whiskey possessed plenty of heat, but it wasn’t overwhelming. It was reminiscent of a wheat whiskey that highlighted spices yet negated wood, which is unusual. A lot is going on, which certainly grabbed my attention. It is priced reasonably, and I’m happy to rate it a Bottle.

 

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Highline Bourbon Whiskey

 

The third expression is the Straight Bourbon Whiskey Blend. Two high-rye Bourbons from Squibb & Ross (MGP) were blended with a Kentucky Bourbon with a high malt content. One part of the blend was 5 years, the second 6 years, and the last 8 years. This Bourbon is packaged at 51% ABV (102°), and a 750ml bottle comes with a suggested price of $66.99.

 

Appearance: This Bourbon presented as brassy. It created a thin rim and wildlike wavy legs.

 

Nose: The bouquet started with cinnamon, brown sugar, and caramel. I also found mild oak and vanilla. When the air hit my mouth, the vanilla note continued.  

 

Palate: Its texture was incredibly thin. Vanilla cream and caramel started the journey. Then came nutmeg and cinnamon powder at mid-palate. The back tasted of dry oak, rye spice, and black pepper.

 

Finish: Medium in duration, the finish consisted of oak, rye spice, cinnamon, and black pepper.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: The Bourbon Whiskey Blend drank at its stated proof – that’s without question. I’m curious about the Kentucky component because it had such a slow start on the palate and then exploded on the back and into the finish. In my opinion, this Bourbon would make a better cocktail base than a neat pour; the flavors are sure to shine through. You’ll want to try this one at a Bar before committing.  

 

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Highline American Whiskey Blend

 

Finally, we can explore the American Whiskey Blend. It comprises two high-rye Bourbons, a Kentucky Bourbon and a Wheat whiskey. The blend was then finished in French and Hungarian toasted oak barrels. The age of each component is 5, 6, 7, and 8 years. A 750ml bottle weighs in at 56% ABV (112°) and has a suggested price of $144.50.

 

Appearance: This was the darkest of the four whiskeys. It was a definitive amber color. A thin rim led to husky, wavy tears.  

 

Nose: Caramel and molasses blasted through my nostrils. There was toasted oak, plum, and cherries that followed. Inside my mouth, the air unveiled molasses.

 

Palate: I tasted thick butterscotch, nutmeg, and almonds on the front of my palate. The middle featured pecans, cherries, and caramel. The back’s flavors included French oak, clove, and cinnamon. The American Whiskey Blend had a thin, oily texture.  

 

Finish: Medium-long in duration, the finish retained the pecan, caramel, French oak, cinnamon, and caramel flavors.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: If the four whiskeys I’ve tasted were part of the solar system, the previous three would be Venus, Earth, and Mars. The American Whiskey Blend is Pluto. It is so far removed from the other three that I wouldn’t consider it part of the same brand in a blind tasting. It was incredibly delicious, with so much flavor character, and it kept me anticipating the next sip. Is it pricey? Yes. But I also believe it is worth the investment. I’m happy to crown it with my Bottle rating. Cheers!  

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you to do so responsibly.