High West A Midwinter Night's Dram Act 6 (All Scenes)

Continuing to review bottles from my personal stock. High West is a distillery in Utah that utilizes whiskies from other producers alongside its own distillate. As far as I know, they do not simply relabel a single sourced product; instead, they combine different whiskies. I started liking them when I got my first bottle of A Midwinter Night’s Dram, and I have since bought a couple more. While each of these are very different—one is a bourbon, one is a whiskey, and one is a blend of straight rye whiskies—their components are uniquely put together by the same maker. High West American Prairie Bourbon Appearance is a clear, bourbon-like Pantone 153. Aromas bring to mind caramel, graham cracker, sawdust, and a subtle herbal note, with refreshing spearmint. Sweet flavor with honey, candied orange, and an oaky spice that leads into a vanilla finish of good duration. American Prairie Bourbon (now called “High West Bourbon”) uses bourbon sourced from both MGP and Kentucky. According to their website (the label points you there for the details), the MGP mashbill contains 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. Another (non-MGP) uses 84% corn, 8% rye, and 8% malted barley. Additionally, it states that “Other whiskey components are undisclosed due to contractual reasons.” I’m fine with that. Contracts are contracts. But there’s no deception; no tricks (well, there is smoke in the Campfire whiskey, below). They take care to be clear and honest. And my bottle notes that 10% of the bottle’s after-tax profits are donated to the American Prairie Reserve. APB provides sweetness, spice, complexity, 92 proof points, and can be purchased for just over $30. There are few, if any, bourbons on the market offering that combination and value. Would I purchase it again? Yes. Without hesitation. Pour it neat, put on the TV to “Yellowstone,” and embrace your inner cowboy. 4.0 out of 5 stars. 46% ABV. No Age Statement. Batch 17J27. Non chill filtered. No added coloring. High West Campfire Whiskey Appearance is slightly lighter than the American Prairie Bourbon, and registers around Pantone 138. Aromas show smoke and honey, honey and smoke, some clove, and cool spearmint. Smoke and honey, honey and smoke: High West Campfire is the Islay of the Rockies. The distinctive combination of smoke and sweetness is unlike the sweet and smoke found in some Ardbeg offerings, or Lagavulin Distiller’s Edition. It is uniquely High West, who deserves praise for forging new whiskey paths and blending distinct distillates (and flavor profiles) with skill. Campfire costs $80. There is nothing like it, anywhere. Would I buy it again? Yes. 4.0 out of 5 stars. 46% ABV. Batch 17R15 High West A Midwinter Night’s Dram Rye Whiskey, Act 6 Scene 4 This whiskey is the darkest of the group, with deep russet tones that appear as Pantone 160. The nose greets you with abundant brown sugar, mulled cider, baked apples, some oaky vanilla (in a pleasing way), and a wonderfully clear sweet rye taste. The whiskey hits the palate with a light oiliness, blending into classic rye spice, finishing long, with more vanilla. Superb. A Midwinter Night’s Dram has several releases each year: “Act” refers to the year since the initial release, and “Scene” refers to the version of that year’s release. According to the distiller, this bottling starts with the High West Renezvous Rye (which includes both High West and sourced distillate) and is finished in both tawny and ruby port barrels. “Words, words, words” said The Bard whom the title references. “Rye, rye, rye” says the humble writer of this praise for the Utopians of Utah. Or, not quite identically: “aye, aye, aye.” I bought this bottle some time ago; apparently now the current release costs about $250, according to an Internet search, though High West’s website shows a retail price of $125. I think I paid around $90 a few years back (this particular bottle was in my inventory, unopened until tonight). Would I buy it again? Aye. Even if I had to sell something. 4.25 out of 5 stars. 49.3% ABV. There’s much to admire about High West Distillery. Their bottles are rustic, with air bubbles inside the glass, uneven bottle bottoms, and textured surfaces. The labels feature irregular fonts. Their products have Western-themed names, with the exception of A Midwinter Night’s Dram—and who am I to complain about channeling Shakespeare? Rugged with a touch of elegance. And it’s not just the marketing. High West’s whiskies are non-chill filtered and have no added coloring. The labels are specific about mashbills; disclose sourcing details when they are contractually permitted; and tell stories that do not require literary suspension of disbelief. The point size of the abundant fine print crammed onto the back labels suggests a friendly transparency and warm welcome. There is nothing to hide here. High West does not sell any watered-down 80-proof whiskies, which implies not only a dedication to quality, but the accompanying high proof works well with their rough Western image. They have a charitable spirit. All of this suggests a vision dedicated to quality—and even art, considering their consistent marketing themes. Horace Greeley had it right: “Go West, young man!” N.B.: All spirits tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

I wasn't looking for this one, but I happened to be in a local store while they were restocking and had some spare cash, so I took a gamble. MWND Act 7 Scene 2 NOSE: High West's aromas rarely disappoint, and this is no exception. It's complex and evolves the longer it sits. Definitely Rye! I detect a savory, umami quality that, for me, is typical of several HW Ryes. There are dried herbs and spices like black pepper, cinnamon, clove, dill, and mustard seed. You also find some dried dark fruits in the background, like raisins or prunes. After a while, the dill starts to stand out. The aroma from an empty glass reveals floral and oak notes that shift to the scent of a humidor filled with cigars. Quite nice! NEAT: Dry, spicy oak is the dominant flavor. I taste dry red wine, dried fruit, and just a hint of vanilla. I get sweet tea down the center of my tongue with black pepper along the sides. It has a pleasantly warming, medium-length finish. The palate is coated with spicy oak, fresh mint, and port wine. This eventually fades into a grassy, earthy note. The mouthfeel is silky and tingly. SPLASH: The palate of MWND can seem almost harsh or intense, but a little water has a soothing effect. Adding water brings out notes of orange peel and caramelized sugar in the aroma. Burnt pie crust? It makes the aroma sweeter and really helps the contrasting flavors on the palate blend more harmoniously. The black pepper is reduced, and the vanilla comes forward more. The oak is also a bit less prominent. It develops a slightly sweet, wine-like character. The palate coating is a bit sweeter, and the pleasant grassy note on the finish appears earlier and is more noticeable. Cherries also make a late appearance. The more I drink of this, the more I enjoy it. VERDICT: Although I didn't set out to buy this, I'm pleased I stumbled upon it and bought it on impulse. I was having trouble with it until I added a little water. There are likely very few spirits I've reviewed that have more notes listed under "splash" than "neat." It's an intriguing whiskey, and I could see myself purchasing it again, even at the $100 price point. Nicely done, HW!

This is Act 6/Scene 4. I haven't been able to sample spirits for a few weeks but I'm ready now. I've been buying A Midwinters Nights Dram since Act 2 and was immediately captivated. Act 3 was nearly as good as Act 2. However, each subsequent year has offered less (though I haven't tried Act 5; it's still sealed). Act 6 introduces High West's own distilled rye into the mix. Every autumn, I eagerly anticipate this rye, searching for the quality of past years. The characteristic baking spices are present: nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, allspice. A subtle raspberry jam sweetness sits just above the spices. Vanilla, dill, and pine needles emerge after a bit. It evoked a feeling of being in a pine forest on a cool, crisp afternoon. A pleasant aroma. What reaches the palate differs from the nose. A medium-weight, velvety body delivers wood spice, black pepper, and spearmint. Faint cola notes appear as it moves towards the finish. The cola taste continues, along with a minty, resinous, drying pine wood. Traces of apple skins, black licorice, and bitter dark chocolate carry the finish to a long conclusion. A splash of water softens the spice and enhances the sweetness of the dram. Compared to the initial releases, Act 6 is a pale imitation. The balance is off, and I suspect either less capable casks were used for aging or a younger, hurried spirit was produced; it almost feels like an attempt to recreate the original recipe. A recently sampled Sagamore Rye Port Finish, at half the price, offers a superior, more balanced experience. Would I consider Act 7 at $125? Likely not, but I might still be drawn in by the hope of recapturing what it once was. [86/100][$125][Tasted: 10/11/19]

This is Act 6 Scene 5. After 10 months open, around the halfway point, I'm finally logging some thoughts. It presents as a deep red, appealing bronze. It has a slight viscosity, but not excessively oily. The aroma offers bubblegum, hints of dry white grape, and pear. It's simultaneously rich and has a crisp mineral quality. Each whiff concludes with a quick burst of ethanol spice. It doesn't sting or overwhelm, just makes its presence known. On the palate, it starts mouth-filling and sweet, then becomes buttery, before the bubblegum and grape must take over. Gentle tingles develop on the sides of the tongue and cheeks, then race through the back of the mouth on the finish. Lingering notes of fresh chili and lemon Starburst remain, along with some bitter chocolate, nutmeg, and orange rind. There are certainly herbal notes - both floral marjoram and peppery basil come to mind. I really, really enjoy this, even if some aspects feel a little disconnected. It shares some similarities with Willet rye. The barrel finishing is skillfully done and adds to the experience. It's quite intricate and challenging to fully discern everything happening. I believe the core flavors have been consistent from the start, but my own perceptions have varied significantly each time. I honestly wasn't a big fan initially, but I've grown to appreciate it a lot. However, I missed the earlier stages and don't know how much better it could have been. Thankfully, reliable opinions suggest Act 7 might be an improvement, so I'm glad to have an A7S5 bottle on hand.

I have always been a big admirer of High West, having toured their facility and purchased their expensive 14-year-old distillery-exclusive bourbon. However, it was my initial experience with their Act 2 and 3 that truly captivated me. I remember those early releases felt like vibrant spice stalls with notes of orange, reminiscent of mulled wine. They featured prominent orange, clove, and dark fruit flavors, harmoniously balanced by the wine influence. Yet, I found that their more recent Midwinter releases did not match the quality of the earlier Act 2 and 3, while their price nearly doubled. I hesitated to purchase Act 6, despite it now incorporating some of their own distillate. Fortunately, a generous sample from a friend allowed me to try it. Regrettably, the later Acts do not quite reach the heights of the original early versions. The wine cask influence seems somewhat overpowering now, with fewer notes of orange and clove, those classic winter spices, and a greater emphasis on the red wine character. It comes across as slightly tannic and significantly more cinnamon-forward and heated. Personally, I still consider their Act 2 and 3 to be my top choices, perhaps among my all-time favorites. This is a decent dram, but at the current price point of over $140, I cannot recommend it. If I'm seeking a rye with a midwinter character, I would opt for the more affordable $40 option from Splinter Group. Thank you again to my friend for this sample; through your generosity, I have now tasted every Act of Midwinter, with the exception of the very first one.

I've come to the conclusion that High West Distillery and the band Weezer share a similar cosmic trajectory: fans either cherish their past or their present. High West was once the celebrated craft distillery that produced A Midwinter Night’s Dram Acts 1-3, and Weezer was a quirky, alternative rock band known for Buddy Holly. Later, they released (mass-produced) Midwinter Night’s Dram Acts 4-6 and Pork ‘n Beans, respectively. Unbelievable. I've had the opportunity to taste 4 progressively different batches of AMWND: 2:1, 4:1, 4:4, and now 6:4 (thanks to a friend). It's apparent the quality seems to have declined with each iteration. It's as if they took a Christmas-spiced Yankee candle and pulverized it into some young rye whiskey. The balanced approach and innovation from earlier releases, including wine cask experimentation and pushing rye percentages, have shifted to a more singular focus on youthful rye whiskey and tired barrels. A shame. I long for the days when whiskey wasn't so immensely popular. Quality is suffering, prices are exorbitant, and I've gotten older. Here's to sticking with older, age-stated Scotch whisky. To the hipsters, forgive my bluntness, but I hope you experience indigestion with your next Pickleback. Now, GET OFF MY LAWN, YOU KIDS. I need a shot of penicillin and a boilermaker. 🤣