You’ve probably heard buzz about High West’s new world class distillery being built out in Wanship, and even though it won’t actually be open to the public until Sep. 7 (Miner’s Day), on July 24, Pioneer Day here in Utah, High West Whiskey Distillery hosted an event commemorating the opening for its new 30,000 square foot world class western whiskey distillery and visitor center.
“After 4 years of planning, we thought Pioneer Day was perfect for officially christening and announcing to the world that this is the place for a western whiskey distillery,” High West Proprietor David Perkins said. “We’re very excited to share this phenomenal space and beautiful setting with whiskey lovers, and of course, our delicious whiskey and food.”
They selected Miner’s Day for the official opening given the role that mining played in Utah’s history, Perkins said. “And we all know what miners drank.”
To commemorate the opening, High West will release Rocky Mountain Rye, a very limited 16-year-old blended straight rye whiskey. Rocky Mountain Rye will only be available for sale at the new distillery. The distillery has installed and fully commissioned one of its four copper pot stills. Each is 25 feet tall, weighs roughly 10,000 pounds, and has a capacity of 1,585 gallons – six times the size of the 264-gallon still at High West in Park City. The stills are custom designed and manufactured for High West by Forsyths of Scotland, the same manufacturer of most of the world’s great Scotch whisky stills. High West’s distillers will make rye, malt, wheat, and bourbon whiskeys.
Located on a historic cattle ranch that covers 3,500 acres of scenic mountain peaks, the distillery will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday starting September 9. High West will offer educational tours and tastings, plus delicious high country western cuisine. The facility will also be available for private functions after hours.
Copper Pot Still
