When Utah outlawed whiskey distilleries in 1870, it would be another 136 years before someone came along and changed the West’s whiskey game. That someone was High West Distillery, founded in 2006 by husband and wife, David and Jane Perkins. David, a biochemist at the time, was inspired to open his own distillery after a visit to Maker’s Mark Distillery in Loretto, Kentucky. Park City, Utah was selected as the location for the couple’s new venture because of David’s love of the Old West and the state’s little-known whiskey history.
Since they began distilling in 2007, High West has grown from a small operation in downtown Park City to an internationally-recognized brand with four unique locations. High West’s products have received numerous accolades and awards, including being named Whiskey Advocate’s 2016 “Distiller of the Year.” While a trip out to Utah to visit the High West Saloon and experience sipping whiskey in the setting of the Old West is well worthwhile, Atlanta’s lovers of whiskey can enjoy High West right in-town.
Check out the video above for just one of taste of High West in Atlanta at TWO Urban Licks, where they’re serving up a pairing of a High West Smash cocktail and a Hot Cheetos Crusted Cactus dish. Other places to enjoy High West around town include Local Three, Poor Calvin’s, The Woodall, Field Day, and Ecco. If you’re looking to enjoy High West at home, you can find their products at bottle shops around town such as Green’s Beverages, Mac’s Beer & Wine, Ansley Wine Merchants, or Tower Beer, Wine & Spirits and make your own High West Smash, perfect for summer:
High West Smash:
Ingredients
- Basil
- Ice
- 2 oz. High West
- 1/2 oz. elderflower liqueur
- 1/2 oz. melon liqueur
- Grapefruit
- 1/2 oz. simple syrup
- Lime
Instructions:
- Muddle your basil in the glass and add ice
- Add the High West, both liqueurs, a squeeze of the grapefruit wedge + a wedge, the simple syrup, and stir it all together
- Put a squeeze of lime on top
- Garnish with basil leaf, wedge of lime, and a fresh slice of grapefruit
- Enjoy!
