Top 20 Whiskies of 2017

#14 • High West Campfire

  • Rank: 14
  • Year: 2017
  • Score: 91
  • Price: $70
  • ABV: 46%
  • Style: Blend of Straight Rye, Straight Bourbon, and Blended Malt Scotch
  • Place of Origin: Multiple (Scotland and Indiana)

An oddball that crosses the divide between American whiskey and scotch by literally mixing the two, Campfire combines straight Indiana rye, straight Indiana bourbon, and peated blended malt scotch, marrying them together in heavily toasted French and Hungarian oak wine barrels. The scotch adds hearty, meaty flavors to the dry, spicy, and rich bourbon and rye. This is a robust and beefy whiskey, with smoke reminiscent of Southern barbecue. Earlier releases of this ambitious whiskey didn’t quite hit the mark. Now, it’s right on target. —Adam Polonski