A Midwinter Night's Dram is High West Distillery's most coveted annual release, a richly indulgent, port finished rye whiskey that has become a beloved cold weather tradition for whiskey lovers since its 2013 debut. This is Act 7, the 2019 release, with this particular bottle from Scene 3; in High West's playful Shakespeare inspired nomenclature the Act denotes the annual release number and the Scene denotes the specific bottling run. At its heart is High West's acclaimed Rendezvous Rye, a blend of straight rye whiskeys built from a 95 percent rye MGP recipe and High West's own 80 percent rye, 20 percent malted rye distillate, here aged around six years and then finished in French oak barrels that previously held Port. That port finish is what makes the Dram so special, layering deep, wintry dark fruit and dessert like richness over the rye's natural spice. Act 7 is especially prized by enthusiasts as one of the standout older releases in the series. Bottled at 49.3 percent ABV and left non chill filtered, it pours a reddish chestnut and opens with an evocative nose of port fruit, sharp cinnamon, mint, honey, and dried herbs. The palate brings the rye spice forward, with dry oak, peppermint, citrus zest, and the dark, jammy fruit of the port finish, while the finish lingers long with mulling spice and dried fruit. Released only once a year in strictly limited quantities and perennially sought after, it is best enjoyed neat beside a warm fire on a crisp winter evening, and makes a superb gift and a prized addition to any rye lover's collection.
ABV / Proof
| Brand |
High West |
| Distillery |
High West Distillery, Park City / Wanship, Utah (blend of sourced and house ryes) |
| Producer |
High West Distillery |
| Category |
Blended Straight Rye Whiskey (port and French oak finished) |
| Expression |
A Midwinter Night's Dram, Act 7 Scene 3 (2019 release) |
| Age Statement |
No age statement (Act 7 cited around 6 years) |
| Mashbill |
95% rye / 5% malted barley (MGP) and 80% rye / 20% malted rye (High West) |
| Maturation |
Aged in new charred American oak, then finished in French oak Port barrels; non chill filtered |
| Bottling |
Annual limited release; Act 7 (2019), Scene 3 bottling run |
| ABV |
49.3% |
| Proof |
98.6 |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
| Region |
Utah (blended/finished); sourced and house ryes |
Tasting Notes
Color: Reddish chestnut.
Nose: Port fruit with sharp cinnamon, mint, honey, and dried herbs.
Palate: Forward rye spice with dry oak, peppermint, citrus zest, and dark jammy port fruit.
Finish: Long, with mulling spice and dried fruit.
FAQ
What do the Act and Scene mean? The Act is the annual release number, so Act 7 is the 2019 release, and the Scene is the specific bottling run, here Scene 3.
How is it finished? The Rendezvous Rye base is finished in French oak barrels that previously held Port, which gives the whiskey its rich, dark fruit, wintry character.
What proof is it? 98.6 proof, or 49.3 percent ABV. It is also non chill filtered.
How old is it? No age statement, though Act 7 is cited as aged around six years.
How should I drink it? Neat is recommended, ideally beside a fire on a cold evening, to appreciate its many layers.
Where can I buy A Midwinter Night's Dram online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
