High West Yippee Ki-Yay Rye Whiskey
High West Yippee Ki-Yay Rye Whiskey is a 750mL blend of straight rye whiskeys bottled at 92 proof (46% ABV) — High West's Double Rye finished in French oak barrels that previously held vermouth and Syrah wine. Launched on Repeal Day 2015 and discontinued in 2020, it is one of the most sought-after bottles the Utah distillery ever made. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 46% (92 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Style: Blend of straight rye whiskeys, wine-barrel finished; not chill-filtered
- Base: High West Double Rye, finished in French oak ex-vermouth and ex-Syrah barrels
- Final brand specification: Ryes aged 2–16 years (95% rye MGP; 53% rye Barton; 80% rye High West) — composition varied by batch
- Status: Discontinued 2020 — a limited, collectible bottling
- Origin: Park City, Utah (blended and finished)
The Wine-Barrel Rye That Got Away
It started as an experiment, in the brand's own telling: one day, just for fun, High West put some Double Rye into barrels that had aged wine — some that had held vermouth (from Vya in Madera, California), some Syrah (from Qupé in Santa Maria) — and the marriage of the two finishes made a whiskey that was all-natural, full-flavoured and nobody else's. Released on 5 December 2015 to commemorate Repeal Day, Yippee Ki-Yay ran until the brand retired it in 2020; early batches were built from two sourced ryes, while later batches — the brand's final technical specification — folded in High West's own 80% rye. Its base whiskey lives on as High West Double Rye, and the range is on the High West vendor page.
Tasting Notes
Per the producer's later technical notes: a nose opening on cinnamon stick, cassis, star anise, dried thyme, rose petal and fruit leather, opening with time in the glass to black cherry, cocoa nibs, brown sugar and clove; a palate of bold cinnamon spice and orange rind over vanilla, blackberry and dried herbs; and a finish of clover honey, black currants and subtle mint.
How to Enjoy
The brand's own serving note is the right one: room temperature, neat, with a few minutes in the glass to let the wine-barrel fruit unfold. More Utah rye is in our bourbon whiskey collection alongside the wider American whiskey shelf.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yippee Ki-Yay still made?
No. High West discontinued it in 2020, after a run that began with its Repeal Day launch on 5 December 2015 — which is why surviving bottles carry collector pricing.
What barrels finished Yippee Ki-Yay?
French oak barrels that previously held two different wines: vermouth and Syrah — identified in the brand's technical sheets as Vya vermouth barrels from Madera, California, and Qupé Syrah barrels from Santa Maria, California.
What whiskeys are in Yippee Ki-Yay?
It is Double Rye finished in wine barrels, and its exact composition varied by batch: the first batches blended two sourced ryes, while the brand's final specification lists three ryes aged two to sixteen years, including High West's ownmake. The proportions were never disclosed — the brand calls the ratio top secret.
A discontinued Park City legend — order Yippee Ki-Yay online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA, while it lasts.