Sips & Sites & Bites

When you think of the American West, it’s hard not to picture wide-open landscapes, red rock canyons, and yes, maybe a glass of good whiskey at the end of the trail.

High West, the Park City-based distillery known for blending mountain air with high-proof spirit, has tapped actor and musician Luke Grimes to be the new face of its Protect the West initiative.

You probably know Grimes best as Kayce Dutton on Yellowstone, but offscreen, he’s just as comfortable under a big Western sky. Now, he’s bringing that same rugged reverence to a cause close to his heart … preserving the land that inspires both the stories he tells and the music he makes.

High West launched its Protect the West initiative in response to the real effects of climate change it’s seen in Utah and beyond … hotter summers, less snowfall, drier forests. Since then, the brand has donated more than $1 million to nonprofits focused on conservation throughout the West.

With Grimes joining the effort, High West looks to put even more of a spotlight on the importance of protecting public lands, back country trails, and those remote places we escape to when the modern world gets a little too loud.

Grimes calls this a personal mission. “Every adventurer has their spot, that one place in the wild they cherish most,” he says. “For me, this partnership with High West is about protecting those places before they’re gone.”

To kick things off, High West and Grimes are inviting fans to share which Western landscapes mean the most to them. Now through July 25, anyone can jump into the conversation by following @DrinkHighWest on Instagram and commenting on their collaboration post. One lucky participant will win a Park City getaway to see the High West lifestyle up close … and, of course, enjoy a pour or two in its natural habitat.

The timing couldn’t be more fitting. The announcement dropped on the summer solstice—longest day of the year, and a good reminder to get outside while you can. Whether you’re hiking a high desert trail or sipping from a porch with a view, High West and Grimes want to make sure the West you love sticks around for generations to come.

And that’s something worth raising a glass to.