High West A Midwinter Night's Dram Act 9 (All Scenes)

I managed to acquire Act 9. Similar to the majority of other MWND products I've sampled, I'm a big fan. It ranks among the finest whiskies I've sampled this year. Nose (out of 2): Superb and top-tier. The aroma of baking spices from rye, a hint of anise, and abundant brown sugar harmonize beautifully with the berry and plum notes derived from the port. 2.0 Taste (out of 4): The nose accurately predicts the palate experience, with the combination of spice and dark fruits delivering a wonderfully sweet yet savory equilibrium. Subtle pear and pepper undertones are also present. 3.0 Finish (out of 1): I wish it had a slightly longer duration. However, it transitions smoothly and enjoyably from spice to sweetness once more..75 Cohesiveness/Complexity (out of 1): Exceptionally distinctive. Unfurls flawlessly. Abundant elements at play. 1.0 Value (out of 2): Absolutely justified at the $99 MSRP, and I was happy to spend more for this yearly release. It's quite unique, expertly marketed, and perfect for late autumn and winter. Its value is slightly reduced due to scarcity, but it's certainly not unobtainable. 1.75 Overall (out of 10): 8.25. This is an excellent whiskey, approaching the elite category. Delightfully rich, sweet, and sufficiently dramatic with its spice. I truly wish a cask-strength version were available.

Nose: Really well done! Initially, I detect fresh strawberries and a nutty quality, similar to pecans. The aroma is sharp and very clear. There might also be a faint hint of Christmas pine in the background. Palate: Tastes like strawberry rhubarb pie! There's a delicious tart berry flavor. The tartness is right on the edge but doesn't become bitter. More traditional caramel and a touch of chocolate are present but I wish they were more prominent. The texture is nice and rich. I understand why a professional reviewer got lingonberries. The mix of tart, rich, and fruity is reminiscent of Swedish pancakes without powdered sugar. Overall: Excellent work! The initial MWND releases were tough to follow. Act 7 was a letdown due to less MGP and more HW distillate being added. Act 8 showed improvement. Both, however, deviated from the original profile as HW transitioned more of its own rye. That's not a bad thing, just different. This, though, is a pleasant return to all of those original flavors. The drawback might be that it lacks the sweetness of my preferred one... Act 4. But this is a rye that drinks like bourbon, with a tart rye kick. I enjoyed it. Paired with an Opus X... well, that enhances everything. Cheers!

A rich, full nose appears quickly, offering plenty of spice, damp wood, some vanilla, dark fruits, and what seems like a mix of cinnamon and nutmeg. It's distinctive, warming, and enjoyable. Fresh oak, cinnamon, and abundant rye spice greet you on the sip, but despite sounding intense, it's actually quite gentle and incredibly smooth. There's also a leathery feel, and it tastes significantly older than it is, which is commendable. While hints of ethanol are on the edges of the nose, it provides a very long, gradual warmth without any alcohol burn. The finish is truly exceptional; flavors lingered on the tongue long enough to write this entire review. Swirl it, aerate it, admire its long-lasting legs, and appreciate something worth its suggested retail price!

An inviting nose of vanilla, red berries, caramel, dry oak, and Chinese Five Spice. As it sits and oxygen interacts, more rye spice and herbaceous dill become apparent. A very pleasant mouthfeel with good richness and concentration. Contrary to the nose, the rye spice hits first, with notes of anise and black pepper. Cherry cola, cinnamon, red berries, and vanilla follow. The flavors are very well balanced, showcasing the port barrel finish and the rye. The finish is nicely sweet with a good amount of berries and vanilla cream. Some drying oak and tobacco linger until the flavor finally fades from the palate. I'm very impressed with this. I've been looking for a bottle at MSRP for a while and it hasn't disappointed in the slightest. It's packed with bold flavors, has a decadent palate, and a sweet, lingering finish. It has potent flavors like a barrel proof without the burn. Highly recommended.

I compared this expression to my bottle of act 7 in a blind tasting. Act 7 was more understated and less prominent in its port finish, which became strongest near the end of the finish. Act 9 presented a more noticeable wine scent on the nose, with ethanol and blackberries. The initial taste has a pleasant sweet mouthfeel with vanilla. The finish concluded relatively quickly, bringing a lot of cinnamon spice and oak. Between 7 and 9, I prefer 9 because it offered more depth, a wider range of flavors, and a different mouthfeel compared to act 7. Both were very enjoyable in their own ways.

Midwinter Nights Dram is consistently one of my top favorite bottles each year. I'm both surprised and delighted to have secured one and to feature it on the site. The complexity is outstanding. The aroma is like a winter spiced cherry treat with abundant herbaceous notes, including some mint and a touch of menthol. It appears thick in the glass, showing plenty of legs. The mouthfeel is dense and almost oily. I love it. The flavor also delivers a cherry spice profile, with mint and herbal notes lingering on the finish. There's a slight bready note on the finish as well. Simply great, as always.