The Spirit of Ohio: Exploring High Bank Distillery & The Whiskey War Collection

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Where creativity, craftsmanship, and conflict converge in the glass.

Ohio isn’t usually the first state that comes to mind when whiskey lovers talk about top-shelf bourbon and American whiskey. Kentucky dominates the map. Tennessee has its legends. Indiana’s MGP provides the base for countless labels. But in the heart of Columbus, one independent distillery has been quietly — and now boldly — rewriting that narrative.

Meet High Bank Distillery Co., a modern whiskey powerhouse crafting bold blends that have quickly risen to national recognition. Their signature line, Whiskey War, doesn’t just carry an attention-grabbing name — it carries a story rooted in rebellion, innovation, and Ohio pride.

The Story Behind High Bank Distillery

High Bank Distillery was founded in Grandview Heights, Ohio, and has become one of the most awarded distilleries in the state. It’s the creation of co-founders Adam Hines and Jordan Helman, who wanted to challenge the conventions of whiskey-making by focusing on unique blending techniques and Ohio-sourced grains.

The distillery’s name, High Bank, pays homage to Columbus’s early geography, referencing the high banks where the Scioto and Olentangy Rivers meet — the same area where local whiskey makers thrived in the 1800s before Prohibition silenced many Ohio stills. High Bank aims to rekindle that spirit, combining old-world craftsmanship with modern flair.

Their commitment to craft, creativity, and community has made them a Midwest standout. They distill on-site, operate a full restaurant and cocktail bar, and have built a loyal following across the state. But the true crown jewel is their whiskey — and the line that’s put them on the map: Whiskey War.

The Origin of “Whiskey War”

The name Whiskey War isn’t just marketing — it’s a nod to a little-known piece of American history. In 1794, the Whiskey Rebellion broke out in western Pennsylvania when farmers protested the government’s whiskey tax. Some fled westward into Ohio, where tensions and violence spilled over. One such conflict — a local standoff involving Ohio settlers — became known as the Whiskey War.

High Bank’s whiskey line honors that rebellious spirit: independent, bold, and unwilling to compromise. It’s whiskey made to challenge expectations — both in flavor and philosophy.

And that attitude carries through every release. While many craft distilleries focus on sourcing or standard small batches, High Bank blends both self-distilled and sourced whiskeys, crafting layered, balanced, and distinctly flavorful expressions.

Let’s raise a glass and explore the four standout bottles in their growing arsenal — each with its own character and story to tell.

Whiskey War Barrel Proof

Bottle Details

Type: Blended Straight Whiskey
ABV: 59.43% (118.86 Proof)
Mash Bill: Blend of high-rye bourbon (undisclosed exact proportions)
Age: At least 5 Years
Distillation: Sourced and blended by High Bank Distillery, Columbus, Ohio
Price: ~ $60 (750 ml)
Availability: Limited, rotating batches

Tasting Notes
Nose
Immediately rich and assertive—sweet vanilla and caramel jump out first, followed by deep brown sugar, cracked black pepper, and a punch of rye spice. Behind it: layers of roasted peanut, cinnamon stick, and a subtle hint of orange zest. Powerful but not harsh—shows off the precision of the blend.

Taste
The palate explodes with toffee, toasted oak, and baking spice. The rye influence is clear—mint, clove, and nutmeg give it a spicy backbone, while the bourbon sweetness keeps it grounded. Mid-palate, dark fruit and cocoa rise, with a slight herbal note keeping things dynamic. Despite the high proof, it’s impressively balanced and seems to drink a bit below its strength.

Finish
Long, bold and warming. Expect oak spice, molasses, and lingering cinnamon sugar with a smoky undertone. An unapologetically big whiskey that rewards slow sipping.

How Much Would I Pay for Whiskey War Barrel Proof?

💰 Max Price I Would Pay: $60

At its ~$60 price point, this bottle easily competes with major barrel-proof releases. Think Elijah Craig Barrel Proof meets New Riff’s Single Barrel edge—but with a distinctive Ohio character that sets it apart. One of the best craft barrel-proof values you’ll find.

Whiskey War Midnight Cask

Bottle Details

Type: Blended Straight Whiskey finished with Australian Tawny Port Wine
ABV: 51.95% (103.90 Proof) (varies slightly by batch)
Mash Bill: Blend of bourbon and rye (High Bank Distillery proprietary blend)
Age: At least 5 Years
Distillation: High Bank Distillery, Columbus, Ohio
Finish: Blended with Australian Tawny Port Wine
Price: ~$64.99
Availability: Limited Release

Tasting Notes

Nose
Immediately rich and expressive. The influence of the Australian Tawny Port is apparent from the start—plum preserves, raisin, and fig jam lead the way, backed by brown sugar and light cocoa. Beneath the fruit lies a foundation of vanilla bean, toasted oak, and a faint peppery spice from the whiskey’s base blend.

Taste
Full-bodied and layered. The whiskey opens whiskey-forward, then transitions into waves of buttery plum, raisin, and dark fruit sweetness from the Tawny Port. Mid-palate, you’ll find notes of vanilla cream, caramelized sugar, and a distinct buttery texture that adds depth. A pleasant bite of white pepper emerges near the back, giving structure and balance to the sweetness.

Finish
Medium-long, rich, and warming. The finish carries a velvety texture with lingering raisin, vanilla, and a soft pepper spice that fades gently. The Port influence never dominates—it complements the whiskey, amplifying its richness while keeping the balance firmly whiskey-driven. Several port finishes give me an extreme drying note on the backend. This maintains the perfect balance of sweetness and barrel tannins.

How Much Would I Pay for Whiskey War Midnight Cask?

💰 Max Price I Would Pay: $70
This is a standout example of a well-balanced wine-finished American whiskey. The Australian Tawny Port adds just the right amount of fruit and texture without overwhelming the underlying whiskey character. Perfect for those who enjoy finished bourbons or ryes but want a more elegant, integrated approach.

Whiskey War Double Double

Bottle Details

Type: Blended Straight Whiskey (Double Barrel Finished)
ABV: 58.32% (116.64 Proof)
Mash Bill: Undisclosed blend of high rye bourbon
Age: At least 5 Years
Distillation: High Bank Distillery, Columbus, Ohio
Finish: Double-barrel finished in heavily charred American oak
Price: ~$109.99
Availability: Limited release

Tasting Notes
Nose
Deep oak, toffee, and char hit first. Then brown sugar, espresso bean, and toasted marshmallow follow. The second barreling clearly amplifies the wood-driven richness without overdoing it.

Taste
Dense caramel, molasses, and toasted coconut dominate, followed by spice and roasted nut. The extra char barrel rounds the edges of the rye spice, giving a dark sweetness reminiscent of burnt sugar crust on crème brûlée. It’s complex, layered, and rich.

Finish
Long, decadent, and slightly smoky. The oak spice lingers with a cocoa-dusted sweetness that reminds you this whiskey spent serious time in wood. Balanced heat, lingering depth. Often times in double barreled products, the whiskey can turn very tannic and into bitter oak. This is not the case here. Great mouth coating and creamy oak through and through.

How Much Would I Pay for Whiskey War Double Double?

💰 Max Price I Would Pay: $110

This is a standout expression that could easily hang with double-barrel (and Double-Double) releases from Woodford Reserve or Old Forester. It’s bold, dessert-like, and beautifully executed—a prime example of craft distilling maturity. This is intentionally a very unique finishing type, and barrel finishing not once, but twice takes time. To me this is the standout in their lineup, and I find myself going back to it again and again.

Whiskey War Cigar Cask

Bottle Details

Type: Blended Straight Whiskey finished in Brazilian Amburana barrels (6–90 days)
ABV: 59.22% (118.4 Proof)
Mash Bill: Blend of bourbon and rye
Age: At least 5 Years
Distillation: High Bank Distillery, Columbus, Ohio
Finish: Brazilian Amburana barrels (6–90 days)
Price: ~$109.99
Availability: Limited annual release

Tasting Notes

Nose
Luxurious and slightly exotic — Amburana brings warm baking spice, coconut-like vanilla, and a delicate dried-fruit sweetness. You’ll also notice pipe tobacco, dark cherry, leather, and cocoa woven through the aromatics. The Amburana lends a unique cedar-citrus note that separates this from typical American finishes.

Taste
A balance of sweet and spice. Black cherry, dark chocolate, and molasses open up, joined by all-spice, clove, and a silky vanilla-coconut mid-palate from the Amburana. Leather and nutmeg appear toward the back, while the underlying rye backbone keeps the sweetness from becoming cloying. Just think a Christmas spiced fruitcake in a glass!

Finish
Long and warming with Amburana-driven spices. Expect lingering notes of warm cinnamon, soft cedar, vanilla-coconut, and a faint tobacco undertone. The finish is more spiced and woody than smoky — think exotic hardwood and baking spice rather than char or campfire smoke. It’s refined, distinctive, and clearly shaped by the Amburana finishing.

How Much Would I Pay for Whiskey War Cigar Cask?

💰 Max Price I Would Pay: $99

This is a sensory experience in a glass. This whiskey will challenge you and take you on a journey sip by sip. The Amburana finishing gives the bottle a tropical-spice signature you won’t find in most American whiskies — perfect for sipping with a cigar or serving as a memorable nightcap.

Final Thoughts: High Bank’s Rise in American Whiskey

High Bank Distillery is proving that great whiskey doesn’t have to come from Kentucky or Indiana. Their Whiskey War lineup demonstrates that craft blending, thoughtful finishing, and precise barrel selection can produce complex, world-class results.

From the bold heat of Barrel Proof to the refined fruit of Midnight Cask, the deep char of Double Double, and the smoky sophistication of Cigar Cask — every bottle tells a story of experimentation done right.

If you’ve overlooked Ohio in your whiskey journey, it’s time to change that. The Whiskey War has arrived — and High Bank Distillery is winning it.