At High West Distillery, whiskey blending is both an art and an instinct. In this interview, High West’s Master Blender Tara Lindley reflects on the craft of building bold, memorable whiskies, the balance between heritage and innovation, and the shifts set to define the category in the years ahead.
What does your day-to-day role as Master Blender at High West Distillery involve?
I spend a good amount of time performing sensory evaluations with my team. We evaluate everything from own make and contract new make spirit to routine blend maintenance, developing limited release blends, blending and bottling approvals, and sometimes just checking up on aging inventory and experiments we’ve barreled down. Much time is dedicated to strategizing how we plan to use our inventory and working with other relevant teams to bring each release to fruition. My team and I never pass up an opportunity to play out an innovative idea someone has and how we might want to include it into our R&D projects.
How do you balance heritage and experimentation when developing new whiskies?
When we are blending High West whiskies, we are intentional about delivering a whiskey experience that is bold, contemplative, and impossible to forget that first sip. As the first legal distillery in Utah since Prohibition, High West began its journey by focusing on complex blending and banking on rye whiskey before it was “popular” again. With that same pioneering and transparent spirit, we will always source and produce distinctive whiskies, blend a variety of mash bills and ages, and source unique finishing vessels.
When we experiment, we look to do all of those things, but also, the unexpected. My favorite example, is when we developed a blend of rye whiskies aged 4-10yo across two mashbills – one sourced, one own make, and finished the whiskey in añejo tequila barrels and amburana barrels. This was The Noble Share. We have all kinds of aging and finishing experiments in process that are unique mashbills, made from heirloom grains, or have nontraditional barrel treatment. We will always be true to our soul, but where we build on those core pillars is where we push boundaries through innovation.
What trends or shifts do you see shaping the world of whiskey in 2026 and beyond?
The industry is indeed facing headwinds – inflation, a slowing market, and an aging stock glut. But what is clear is that the category is moving ever more towards a craft-focused, transparent, and agriculturally grounded industry. In the future, I think whiskey will be defined more by the story behind it – its provenance, the careful process that shaped it, a commitment to sustainability, and a distinct flavor identity that reflects both tradition and innovation.
Consumers are increasingly looking for authenticity and intention in every sip and that’s why craft-driven storytelling, sustainability, and agricultural identity are growing in importance. They give brands real substance to stand on when the market won’t support price increases based upon ageing alone.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received during your career?
The best career advice I’ve received is to never stop learning. Yes, I’ve applied this to formal courses and I’ve learned so much about sensory and the spirits industry. But where this has been most valuable is where it applies to the lessons I gain from the people around me – my mentors, my team, and everyone I interact with daily. Growth comes from listening, understanding, and connecting with others, and applying those insights to work together more effectively.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
First and foremost, I love spending time with my family. Our daughter is at such a fun age and we’ve been getting out and exploring so many new activities. We love getting out to rock climb and hike. When I get time to myself, I love to read and make cold-process soap.
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