High West Distillery: Tara Lindley about whiskey from the Wild West

The High West Distillery was founded in 2006 by David Perkins and his wife Jane and combines craftsmanship with a love of the Wild West. Inspired by his experiences as a biochemist and a visit to Kentucky, David and his family moved to Park City, Utah, to open the first legal whiskey distillery since 1870. What began as a small distillery developed into an internationally acclaimed brand that combines tradition and innovation.

We spoke to Tara Lindley, Director of Sensory and Product Development at Constellation Brands, about the special features of High West Whiskeys, the connection to the American West and her latest projects.

Please introduce yourself briefly: Who are you and what do you do at High West?

Tara Lindley: My name is Tara Lindley, I’m the Director of Sensory QA and New Product Development. I oversee blend and liquid quality for High West and Constellation Brands’ spirit portfolio, ensuring quality in every drop of whiskey we bottle. I also work hand in hand with our Master Distiller (Brendan Coyle) and Distilling Director (Issac Winter) on all of our core expressions and limited release whiskeys.

What was your career path like before your time at High West, and did you have any previous contact with the whiskey industry? 

Tara Lindley: Prior to my role here at High West, I was actually in the wine industry. I grew up in California and worked in Napa Valley for many years. There are a lot of similarities between the wine and whiskey world, but there are also a lot of differences, so it’s been a fun journey to combine my working experiences together.

What highlights and special projects have you already accompanied at High West?

Tara Lindley: I’ve had the pleasure of launching several expressions with High West. Recently we launched Bourye 2024, a blend of straight bourbon and straight rye whiskeys that come together beautifully. Bourye has been an annual whiskey release since 2009 and has grown to have a bit of a cult-like following so it’s been fun to see the expression evolve year after year and see consumer’s reactions to it.

What does it mean to you to be part of the first legal whiskey distillery in Utah since 1870?

Tara Lindley: While I started at High West in 2016, all of us who have had the pleasure of working at High West feel a deep sense of connection to the brand. Being known as the first legal distillery in Utah since 1870 is a special feeling. It feels great to be a part of bringing back the whiskey making tradition to the Utah area.

What inspired David and Jane Perkins to choose Utah, and Park City in particular, as the location for High West? 

Tara Lindley: David and Jane Perkins were inspired to create High West after visiting a ton of bourbon distilleries in Kentucky. This area of the United States is known for being the birthplace of bourbon. David was a former biochemist and was inspired to create a whiskey brand because he noticed similarities between the fermentation and distillation processes and his work in biochemistry. He chose Utah because of his love for The Old West and Utah’s whiskey making history which he wanted to honor and resurrect.

“Protect the west” – how are you committed to protecting the west?

Tara Lindley: We are very committed to Protecting the West! High West’s home is in the beautiful mountain range of the Wasatch mountains in and around Park City, Utah. It’s where we live, distill and where people come to experience our home. Climate change has affected our home dramatically. Forest fires in the summer make our land barren and the warmer temperatures in the winter make our winter season shorter and produce less snow making it harder to enjoy the outdoors sports we all love.

By making it our mission to Protect The West, we are doing our part in making an impact within our community and protecting our home. In 2022, High West committed to donating $1 Million in three years to three organizations that share our same mission, Protect Our Winters (POW), The Wildland Firefighter Foundation and American Prairie to help raise awareness and protect the landscape we call home.

Let’s talk about your products: What is your main product(s)?

Tara Lindley: Our core portfolio of whiskeys include High West Bourbon, High West Double Rye, High West Campfire and High West Rendezvous Rye.

What other products does your portfolio include?

Tara Lindley: Other products include our Limited Edition whiskey portfolio and Barrel Finished cocktail portfolio. Within our Limited Edition whiskey portfolio we have a smaller batch of whiskey to offer, but they tend to be more experimental in terms of the mash bills, spirits, and blends used and how we might barrel finish the product – meaning we use different casks to create completely different taste profiles.

Our Limited Edition whiskey portfolio includes: High West Bottled in Bond, High West Cask Strength, High Country American Single Malt, A Midwinter Night’s Dram, High West Bourye and The Prisoner’s Share. Our Manhattan Barrel Finished Cocktail and Old Fashioned Barrel Finished Cocktails are essentially a full cocktail in a bottle meant to pour and sip in a glass. Since they are barrel finished they have been aged slightly to give them a robust and more integrated sense of flavor.

How would you say you differentiate your whiskeys from others?

Tara Lindley: We pride ourselves for being master blenders, so our expressions tend to highlight that artistry. You can think of it as taking all the instruments within an orchestra and putting them together in a way that creates a new and unique symphonic experience. We do the same with our whiskey. At High West we were some of the first to lean into a transparent model and celebrate our distillate partners like MGP to highlight what is inside the bottle, which has given consumers the ability to learn more about how whiskeys are made and give them an appreciation for the art of blending.

How do you bring a piece of the West to Germany? Where are your products available in Germany?

Tara Lindley: To bring the unique flavor of the American West to Germany, we focus on “liquor to lips” activations at fairs and festivals. These events allow both industry professionals and consumers to experience the bold and distinctive flavors of High West firsthand. We enhance the Western vibe by incorporating interactive elements, like Cornhole and Horseshoe games. Additionally, we host the annual High West Mountain Experience, where a select group enjoys a week of skiing, whiskey tastings, and the spirit of the West in a stunning mountain setting.

We’ve concentrated on premium retail and hospitality venues across Germany, including renowned spots like KaDeWe, as well as top-tier bars and restaurants. Our whiskeys are also widely available through online platforms like WeinWolf.de, Whiskey.de and Urban Drinks, making it easy for whiskey lovers to access High West products.

How do you enjoy your perfect High West moment?

Tara Lindley: My favorite way to drink High West is with a Double Rye old fashioned cocktail outside overlooking the mountain range. It’s the best when you can connect what you’re drinking with the place it was created!

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+++ We would like to thank Tara Lindley for the open and very interesting interview! If you also have an interesting brand, then we should talk. Just send us an e-mail with the subject “about-drinks interview” to redaktion@about-drinks.com – we look forward to hearing from you! +++