Positioned within the scenic mountains of Park Metropolis, Utah, Excessive West Distillery has a historical past of releasing limited-edition whiskeys that incorporate secondary maturation. Whereas A Midwinter Evening’s Dram is arguably probably the most well-known of those choices, The Prisoner’s Share has additionally change into a notable entry within the lineup.
On June 1, 2025, Excessive West launched Batch No. 25C05 of The Prisoner’s Share. This version follows a earlier launch reviewed by Drinkhacker in June 2023, which featured a mix of whiskeys aged from 4 to fifteen years. The 2025 launch is a mix of bourbon and rye whiskeys aged between 4 and 12 years, completed in French oak barrels that beforehand held a crimson wine mix from The Prisoner Wine Firm in St. Helena, situated in Napa Valley, California.
The wine that beforehand occupied the barrels usually consists of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Charbono, with Zinfandel comprising roughly 40% of the mix. This ending course of is facilitated by the shared possession of Excessive West Distillery and The Prisoner Wine Firm below Constellation Manufacturers.
Batch No. 25C05 is comprised of 5 completely different mashbills. The bourbon parts embody a mashbill of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley distilled by MGP in Lawrenceburg, Indiana; a two-grain bourbon composed of 60% corn and 40% rye distilled by Bardstown Bourbon Firm; and a mashbill of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley from an undisclosed Kentucky distillery, a mashbill usually related to Heaven Hill. The rye whiskey parts embody a mashbill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley from MGP and a mashbill of 80% rye and 20% malted rye distilled in Utah by Excessive West. Excessive West doesn’t disclose the proportion of every part used within the remaining mix. Every whiskey part was aged roughly 4 to 6 years earlier than being transferred into the crimson wine barrels for added maturation. The whiskey was bottled at 102 proof and was not chill filtered.
Excessive West The Prisoner’s Share (2025) Evaluate
The crimson wine cask affect makes a right away impression because the nostril opens with a be aware that calls to thoughts diluted cranberry juice. Layered into the fruit are aromas of shortbread cookies and caramel corn, providing distinction and sweetness. With somewhat time within the glass, the whiskey reveals extra complexity: orange marmalade turns into extra pronounced, accompanied by a hint of gentle tobacco. Collectively, the cranberry and orange marmalade conjure the character of spiced winter punches usually served in the course of the vacation season.
On the palate, the crimson wine continues to play a central position, although the expression shifts—bitter or underripe plums take the lead, introducing a tart, tannic edge. Because the preliminary acidity settles, notes of challah bread and smoked maple syrup come by means of, adopted by baked candy potatoes. The whiskey has a medium-thick texture that helps the evolving flavors effectively. The end is pushed by black pepper and cloves, with a remaining impression of blueberry pie filling that lingers.
The 2025 version of Excessive West The Prisoner’s Share is a powerful instance of wine cask ending executed with restraint and intention. The time spent in crimson wine barrels is clear all through the expertise, but the rye content material within the mix just isn’t misplaced—it holds its personal and provides a welcome spice construction. At $175, the value is definitely steep and should trigger hesitation, although for these already accustomed to ultra-premium bottle pricing, the standard is prone to meet expectations.
Conceptually, The Prisoner’s Share shares DNA with releases like Bardstown Bourbon Firm’s Collaborative Collection, notably the Silver Oak version. Each are blends sourced from a number of distilleries with ending in wine casks. The place they diverge is in method: The Prisoner’s Share blends youthful whiskey and permits for a extra prolonged ending interval, whereas Silver Oak options extra mature whiskey completed over a relatively brief 17 months. In that context, the $175 worth level feels extra in keeping with what comparable initiatives are asking—and delivering on.
102 proof.
A- / $175 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Excessive West The Prisoner’s Share (2025)
USD175
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