High West A Midwinter Night's Dram The Encore

Aroma: Caramel, minty/herbal rye, peach gummy rings, candied ginger, charred cinnamon Taste: A drying mouthfeel with caramel, candied ginger, a minty/herbal rye character, bitter notes of peach pits and apricots, roasted almonds with burnt almond skin bitterness, and the taste of over-steeped black tea. Finish: A lingering fruity bitterness from peach pits, sweet heat, candied ginger heat/tingle, and the bitterness of over-steeped tea. Score: 85/100 Final Thoughts: After tasting this the night after Act 10 of A Midwinter Nights Dram, I suspect the Rendezvous Rye base used for this year's release wasn't the best. It has the usual minty/herbal rye notes I appreciate, but for some reason, everything seems either over-oaked or slightly too bitter. The white port finish adds a vibrant, summery feel while still incorporating winter spice notes of ginger and cinnamon. Roasted nuts are present on the palate, but they taste as if they were overcooked, imparting a burnt, bitter quality. I do enjoy the peachy/apricot notes, which remind me of Barrell Seagrass, though that was due to an apricot brandy finish. Overall, this was intriguing, but it seems like they either used a highly reactive Rendezvous Rye and finished it for too long, or the casks added excessive bitterness for my preference. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - Perhaps Would I buy a bottle? - No NOTE: All reviews are presented without considering price.

Nose: Better than average, beginning with typical rye spices. After swirling, it develops notes of plum and aged leather. Slightly astringent. Palate: Impressive! The rye notes are much more vibrant in this version compared to the MWND ruby port finish. Notes of baked bread and earthy tones emerge in the latter half, with a sweeter finish that I attribute to the white port. Finish: Medium length, smooth, and lingering. Overall, this is an excellent rye. The white port finish is subtle and not overly dominant, unlike the standard MWND. I can see myself enjoying this on many cold evenings, perhaps followed by the MWND (I recognize the irony).

Quite good, showing a Sauternes-like quality that contrasts with the darker notes of Act 11. Nose: Ginger, apricots, sultanas, golden syrup, pears, almonds, toffee apples, honey, grapefruit, figs, bananas, passion fruit, toasted marshmallows, white chocolate. Palate: Caramel, sultanas, yellow plums, lavender, quince pears, golden kiwis, cinnamon, honey, cloves, grapefruit, treacle, almonds, walnuts, ginger, vanilla, jasmine, bubble gum. Finish: Ginger, hazelnuts, sultanas, apricots, treacle, honey, vanilla, peaches, minerals, cloves, jasmine, elderflower

Nose: Dominated by dark fruits, with baking spices and vanilla. Some cinnamon and clove are present, giving a holiday aroma. Palate: The white port is noticeable. It has a slightly drying effect on the tongue. Rye spices offer a complementary balance to the mid-palate. There's a hint of sweetness and wine tannins. Finish: It lingers on the tongue, with some fig notes appearing towards the end. Overall: Rated 4 out of 5 stars. A fantastic drink. I prefer the standard MWND port version. The white port offers a different experience; it's still very good, just not the typical MWND profile.

An excellent nose with hints of fresh fruit and aged leather. The color in the glass is surprisingly dark, resembling a rich Brazil nut. The mouthfeel is lighter than anticipated but delivers wonderful flavor from the first sip. Fruit-forward notes like blueberry and raspberry transition into caramel and apricot. The finish is extended and pleasant, with hints of white raisins and baking spice. Truly a great drink!

The aroma is not appealing. While there are some pleasant notes, they are overwhelmed by strong, unpleasant ones. The taste is preferable to the smell, but still not great. It begins sweet, but then those off-putting notes reappear, making it unpleasant. The finish is brief and not very flavorful. In summary, it's an unusual whiskey with little enjoyment to offer. I strongly advise against it.