Sips & Sites & Bites

If you’ve spent any time chasing limited releases, you already know the buzz around Bourye. And yes, it’s back.

High West Distillery has officially released its 2026 edition of Bourye, the annual, cult-favorite blend that whiskey folks tend to whisper about … right before they clear a space on the shelf. As the name suggests, Bourye is a marriage of bourbon and rye … BOUR + RYE … and this year’s release might be one of the most dialed-in yet.

Let’s start with the numbers. It’s bottled at 50.5% ABV (101 proof), a noticeable bump that feels intentional rather than flashy. The blend pulls from straight bourbons and ryes aged a minimum of 10 years (with barrels ranging from 10–19 years old), including mash bills from MGP and High West’s own distillate. No chill filtration. No flavor added. Just time, wood, and a smart blending hand.

High West says they re-evaluated Bourye for 2026 to better showcase the elegance and complexity of those well-aged barrels … and that higher proof does exactly that. It doesn’t drink hot. It drinks confident.

On the nose, it’s layered and a little playful: candied lemon, apricot jam on shortbread, caramel macaron, toasted cinnamon stick, and a dusting of spice cookie. There’s even a meadow-like freshness that keeps things from tipping too dessert-heavy.

But the palate is where Bourye earns its cult status. Grilled peaches lead the way, followed by orange blossom, molasses biscuit, and … wait for it … brown sugar bacon. There’s chocolate-covered haystack, black licorice, sarsaparilla, lavender, and this warm, rustic leather note that feels like stepping into a well-worn log cabin. It’s rich without being syrupy, bold without losing its balance.

The finish? Sticky toffee pudding and ginger tea. Long. Comforting. A little decadent.

At $124.99 suggested retail, this national limited release sits firmly in special-occasion territory, but that’s always been part of Bourye’s charm. It’s not trying to be your everyday pour. It’s the bottle you bring out when friends linger longer than expected, when the fire pit is glowing, or when you tilt your head back and catch the Milky Way stretching across a cold night sky.

And in true Western fashion, there’s a nod to the jackalope … the region’s favorite mythical trickster … because Bourye has always had a bit of that energy. Unexpected. Slightly mischievous. Hard to catch.

As High West celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, Bourye feels like a reminder of why the distillery built such a loyal following in the first place: thoughtful blending, well-aged stock, and a willingness to let flavor lead the conversation.

If you see it, don’t overthink it. This one tends to disappear.