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 8, the 2020 release, with this particular bottle from Scene 2; 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, which is then finished in French oak barrels that previously held Ruby and Tawny 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. Bottled at 49.3 percent ABV and left non chill filtered, it pours a deep auburn and opens with an evocative nose of brandied cherries, fig jam, sun dried raisins, dried orange peel, baking spice, and French oak toast. The palate delivers quince paste, strawberry rhubarb crumble, vanilla caramel, molasses, toffee, and leather, while the finish lingers with mulling spices, candied dates, black pepper, and a hint of spearmint. 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 8 Scene 2 (2020 release) |
| Age Statement |
No age statement |
| 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 Ruby and Tawny Port barrels; non chill filtered |
| Bottling |
Annual limited release; Act 8 (2020), Scene 2 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: Deep auburn.
Nose: Brandied cherries, fig jam, sun dried raisins, dried orange peel, baking spice, and French oak toast.
Palate: Quince paste, strawberry rhubarb crumble, vanilla caramel, molasses, toffee, and leather.
Finish: Mulling spices, candied dates, black pepper, and a hint of spearmint.
FAQ
What do the Act and Scene mean? The Act is the annual release number, so Act 8 is the 2020 release, and the Scene is the specific bottling run, here Scene 2.
How is it finished? The Rendezvous Rye base is finished in French oak barrels that previously held Ruby and Tawny 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; it is a blend of straight rye whiskeys of varying ages built on High West's Rendezvous Rye.
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.
