High West A Midwinter Night's Dram Act 10 (All Scenes)

Nose: Cherries, cloves, cinnamon, mellow warm rye bread sweetness, a touch of vanilla, caramel, mint chocolate. Palate: Sweet raisins, plums, bitter dark chocolate, cinnamon spice, burnt sugar bitterness, vanilla, woody mint stems, bitter crushed spices. Finish: Spicy sweet raisins, bitter wood/leather notes, crushed cloves. Score: 83/100. Final Thoughts: The nose is likely the best aspect, and the initial taste is pleasant. The aroma was quite nice with sweet red cherry notes (reminiscent of cough syrup) and a general winter feeling. It doesn't seem excessively sweet, but some components might have been over-oaked. While I don't typically mind bitterness, this particular one felt a bit on the bitter side with abundant oak, woody mint stems, and bittersweet crushed spices. This sadly carried over to the finish, which had a light sweetness but was overwhelmed by bitterness. Would I drink it if offered? Yes. Would I specifically order it? No. Would I buy a bottle? No. NOTE - All reviews are done without factoring in price.

The aroma begins with a pleasing combination of wine sweetness and toasted oak before quickly mellowing. There's a subtle rye spice balanced by gentle hints of vanilla and bread. Baking spices are present faintly in the background, creating an altogether delightful impression. The taste is rich and somewhat viscous, coating the mouth with a fine balance of rye spice and wine sweetness. Flavors of dark chocolate, cooked brown sugar, and cinnamon also contribute to a great equilibrium. Overall, this is quite delicious, and the beauty of a well-finished rye is its simplicity yet abundance of key flavors. It doesn't require extensive analysis; it's simply excellent. The finish is medium-long and chewy, with rye spice that keeps the corners of the mouth tingling, while oak and wine sweetness fade a bit too rapidly. This is the third act and is very pleasant to drink, but it's held back by the experience of each sip being fleeting.

This represents the pinnacle of High West's creations. Their other offerings can be inconsistent, even though I appreciated the standard bourbon and rye. My initial encounter with this particular series was about 3-4 years ago. I recall being captivated by it on multiple evenings. Unfortunately, exclusive bottles like this are scarce, so I didn't encounter another until earlier this year. I bought it immediately! I must assert that this might be one of the finest rye whiskeys I have sampled. It possessed a distinctive scent that can be described as cinnamon sticks in cola. The rye spice strongly impacts the palate, with a lingering finish that includes dried fruits, the aforementioned cinnamon, and the faintest hints of vanilla and leather. All of this is combined with a comforting warmth, making it an ideal choice for a cold evening. I am definitely reserving the remainder of the bottle for the approaching seasonal change. That is, unless I acquire another bottle.

Score 7.7. Significant influence from the cask, giving it a very wine-like character overall. The aroma has a mineral hint with a light sherry-plum-white grape sweetness dominating. Aged oak is subtly present in the background. The taste starts with minerality, quickly followed by a dark/dried fruit sweetness. Notes of white grape, fig, and raisin. Minerality persists at the edges. The finish is medium-long, starting with a good bright intensity that mellows out with all the sweet fruit flavors. A fantastic spirit for someone who enjoys white wine and wants to try something different. The price is high, but somewhat justified at its retail cost.

The aroma is sweet, herbal, and minty, as one would anticipate from MGP's 95/5 mash bill. However, it's quite subdued. The palate is a jumbled confusion, and the finish is almost nonexistent. It's not unpleasant, but there isn't much happening, and it's completely forgettable. Considering the quality of Acts 1-3 and the price point, this is a profound letdown. It was part of a bottle shared with friends who have been purchasing since Act 1, and none of us are inclined to purchase a full bottle again.

Midwinter Night's Dram Act 10 scene 2 Glassware: Tasting glass, at a bar. Appearance: Medium-dark amber. Nose: Raisin, fig, cherry. Palate: Clove, oak, and leather. Less intense spice than expected. Finish: Medium duration, moderate heat. Dilution: Mutes most of the flavor notes. Overall: 6/10 - I had high expectations for this sample, and the aroma was promising, but it declined from there. Considering the price I paid, it would be at least a 7, but factoring in the suggested retail price, it's only a 6.