Act: 12
Scene: 01

Named after “A Midsummer Nights Dream” by William Shakespeare.

Greetings good gentles and ladies. At High West, we consider whiskey an indispensable part of making it through the long cold winter. One taste of A Midwinter Nights Dram alongside a cozy fire will surely transport you to a dreamlike state.

This limited release whiskey is a sumptuous marriage of our Rendezvous Rye finished in both port and French oak barrels. The rye forms a beautiful base of vanilla, caramel and cinnamon; the port barrels enhance with plums and dried fruits; the French oak provides a spice accent. For us, A Midwinter Nights Dram tastes like a proper Christmas plum pudding with lovely mulling spices, dried fruits, and crme anglaise.

Tasting Notes:

Mash Bill: This complex rye whiskey combines a 95% rye, 5% barley malt mash bill from MGP. It blends this with an 80% rye, 20% malted rye blend distilled at High West. This results in a uniquely layered profile.

Nose: The aroma is rich and inviting. It begins with brandied cherries, Calimyrna figs, and pecan cinnamon rolls. These notes give way to allspice berries, fresh grapefruit zest, and French oak shavings. This is a sensory journey reminiscent of a hayride on a crisp autumn evening.

Taste: The palate delights with flavors of poached white peaches, stewed rhubarb, and Italian tiramisu. These are balanced by hints of candied ginger, clove, and weathered cinnamon bark. Fresh espresso and raspberry tarte on cedar contribute to a truly unique and memorable tasting experience.

Finish: A silky, sumptuous finish wraps up each sip with warmth. Lingering notes of sticky toffee pudding and spiced plum tea add depth. This makes it a perfect whiskey for winter nights.

Specific Batch Reviews:

“A Midwinter Nights Dram Act 12 is delicious stuff, and a slight but marked improvement on last years version.” – David Thomas Tao, VinePair (94 Points)

“Theres not too much rye, its well aged and has loads of complexity, and the port finish is additive and enjoyable making this release a success.” – Bottle Raiders (88 Points)

“While not super complex, it is easy to drink and balanced.” – Stephanie Moreno, Distiller (88 Points)

“This yearly release, a fan favorite, marries High Wests sourced rye from MGP (95% rye, 5% barley) with High Wests own 80% rye, 20% malted rye. The nose delivers an abundance of sweets and spices: cinnamon candies, vanilla shortbread, and Concord grape mingle with wood spice and a lightly sweet peppery note. The port finish pushes the flavor further toward sweet with fruit cocktail, sweet mint, and berry tart. On the finish, theres baked and spiced fruits.” – Shane English, Whisky Advocate (91 Points)