High West A Midwinter Night's Dram Act 8 (All Scenes)

Rating: 17/23 I was eagerly anticipating trying this one, so I've been holding onto this sample. For some reason, tonight felt like the right time to open it, so here we go! Nose: Bold and pronounced spicy rye. There's also a tart fruitiness and a surprising savory quality. Nettle and a touch of mint are present. I'm not getting a vast amount from this aroma, but it's rich. Perhaps it needs some time. After a considerable wait, some tart citrus (orange peel with some lemon) emerges alongside rich rye bread. Palate: Intense spicy rye with rich port fruit. The fruit is big, red, and juicy, with a sweetness bordering on syrupy. A hint of blackberry, and perhaps the faintest blueberry. There's considerable herbal bitterness with complexity reminiscent of Whistlepig PiggyBack. Some creosote is detectable, but not in large amounts. A bit of licorice. I anticipated leather, but I'm not actually detecting any. Despite these strong flavors, the mid-palate feels somewhat lacking due to the absence of sweetness and leather to fill it out. A quick re-check confirms my palate is functioning well, so I'm not just missing them. Also, what are these spices? It's definitely a dry, bitter, herbal, slightly green rye spice, but what can I compare it to? Adding a small amount of water reveals cherry and orange peel. Without water, this is hot. It's never harsh, but it's spicy and hot. Finish: Rye dryness with a spicy kick and a hint of peppermint. Some lingering sweetness from the port fruit. - Conclusion - Combining rye with port doesn't seem like an obvious pairing to me, but the result is excellent! Comparing it side-by-side with Whistlepig Piggyback (16/23), I find many similarities in the rye profile. This expression is slightly less vegetal, possibly because the port influences mask those flavors. They possess similar levels of nuance, though this one is more accessible and enjoyable with its sweet fruits. This is definitely superior, although not by a huge margin. Joseph Magnus (21/23) is a highly-finished, spicy, leathery powerhouse with chocolate notes and greater richness and decadence than this offering. While the Joseph Magnus might be spicier, it isn't hotter. It also conveys a greater sense of maturity, though this never tasted particularly old. The Joseph Magnus may not completely overshadow this, but it is clearly much better. This is certainly closer to the Whistlepig – which is also a great whiskey! Resilient 15 (18/23) is quite different. It's more subtle and nuanced, possessing less exciting flair but more maturity. This is much closer than the Joseph Magnus was, but I would still favor the Resilient. Wild Turkey Rare Breed (18/23) is more robust and richer, but less refined. Their quality is quite similar, but I find myself leaning towards the Wild Turkey. Russell's Reserve Single Barrel (18?/23) perhaps lacks the elegance of this, but it achieves a balance of richness and complexity with appropriate refinement. Curiously, I've never perceived the genetic link between Russell's Reserve Single Barrel and Russell's Reserve 10 more clearly than I do right now. Just an interesting observation. Due to the burn this possesses, I believe I would choose the Russell's Reserve. Old Forester 1920 (18/23) is more indulgent than this. It's also spicier, but not noticeably hotter. The Old Forester also presents some pleasing complexity. I think this is another instance where it's nearly as good as an 18. This is a fantastic dram, but it still exhibits a youthful character and requires refinement, from the burn to the flavors. I won't call it muddled, but it occupies an unusual space that I haven't encountered before, where I detect many elements but struggle to pinpoint specific flavors. Considering the Whistlepig is rated a high 16, this deserves at least a 17, but it doesn't quite reach an 18. I've spent considerable time comparing the two, but most of the time I've felt it's a 17, and that's where I'll settle. This has frequently been almost as good as several 18s. Although I anticipated a bit more from this dram (due to my very high expectations), I am not at all disappointed by this experience. I thought I would be sampling a unique whiskey that performed a magic trick with its port barrel aging. Instead, I experienced a great example of why rye should be aged in port barrels more often! A big thank you to a friend for sharing this!

I have had the good fortune to purchase every Act since Act 2. The second and third Acts were incredible. Some of the best whiskey I have tasted. From those Acts forward, the quality has diminished each year. However, these Acts have slowly been improving with every successive release since Act 6. N: On initial nosing, you are welcomed immediately by baking spices. Not overpowering, but with an inviting, light, cordial greeting. Cinnamon sugar, cloves, nutmeg, vanilla, pumpernickel. As it opens, the grape, port sweetness peeks through which rounds the spicy spices. P: The initial sip is gently biting; prickly. Once it softens, the port wine coats the palate. BlackBerry jam, mingled with rye, black pepper, cinnamon spice, oak spice, dates, with some herbal undertones. F: A long finish that’s oaken with orange and lemon zest. Spearmint, charcoal, black licorice ride to a very long lasting ending. W: A touch of water sweetens the dram softening the spice. This rounds the dram and creates a more approachable dram. Whatever your mood, hard or soft, just drink straight or add water to enjoy a softer side. O: The previous releases were somewhat weakened from the early Acts. This Act is a step forward to its former greatness. This was a bottle that was opened a month ago. That month of resting has improved the dram as the initial pour was somewhat incoherent. Give this time in the bottle and time in the glass and you will be rewarded positively.

The aroma has notes of strawberry jam, anise, earthy mint, cocoa, currant, caramel, vanilla, black cherry, plum, clove, allspice, cinnamon bark, and dry oak, with a mild to moderate ethanol burn. The taste features strawberry jam, spearmint, clove, anise, cranberry, butterscotch, vanilla, cherry, plum, cinnamon, sour oak, and orange zest, with a moderate alcohol bite. The finish is medium length, with jammy red fruit, mint, spearmint, anise, and baking spice flavors. It feels like Christmas Eve, and this whiskey is making me think of sugar plums. I purchased this bottle last year and have only had a few drinks from it since. Hopefully, it will maintain the holiday cheer. The nose is minty and jammy, with abundant dark red fruits, a strong presence of anise, and other baking and rye spices. The palate continues with the mint, balanced by the same dark red, jammy fruits, bark spices, and sour, almost tannic oak. While this is good, I had higher hopes for it. The smells and tastes are pleasant, but something is slightly off. It's a little sour and generally seems to lack essential depth. The finish also falls short, feeling borderline thin. Overall, this profile had significant potential, but the execution is lacking. It appears I missed the prime years for MWND releases. I paid $110 for this bottle last year, and it wasn't worth it. I can't comment on the newest batch, but it probably doesn't warrant purchasing for more than retail price.

Evaluated in a Glencairn Spirits nosing glass. Aroma - Undiluted - The port barrel influence is definitely noticeable right away, a slightly tangy / acidic grape aroma, marzipan, shoe polish, characteristic rye bread, orange marmalade, and sugary pie crust. Adding a teaspoon of water and... A strong oak aroma develops, stewed dark fruits, gentle sawdust, and bright vanilla bean pod. Taste - Undiluted - Quite sharp without dilution, mild tannins, bitter honey, a sort of herbal bitterness coming through, and unsweetened Luxardo maraschino cherries. Adding a teaspoon of water... Reminiscent of Speyside scotch, bittersweet chocolate, black tea, and I find myself wanting to mention again the prominent Luxardo maraschino cherry on the exhale, especially. Final thoughts: Definitely the most interesting Rye you'll ever drink. I believe they could have aged a bourbon similarly, and you would have ended up with a much less complex final product. The natural savory / spicy qualities of a rye really balance the sweetness picked up from the time spent in French port casks, and that combination is what creates the more intriguing notes like shoe polish, black tea, and Luxardo maraschino cherries. It strongly reminds me of a good Speyside scotch. I absolutely recommend trying this one if you're an experienced whiskey drinker searching for something unique!

This is the first bottle of Rye I've ever purchased, and I genuinely enjoy this one. Apologies if my 'notes' seem uneducated, but the aroma is clearly port-dominant, and it has a unique funk reminiscent of an old, damp shoe that's been used for mowing the lawn, which truly sets it apart from everything else I've tried. Scotch enthusiasts often seek this musty, damp note when it's well-executed, and I firmly believe it's present here. The taste is incredibly port-forward, still tasting like whiskey, but the port imparts a richness that complements a slightly sour, dill-like flavor found in the latter half of the tasting experience. This is remarkably interesting. It's difficult to assess the finish because I'm compelled to keep experiencing the taste, but it does have a drying quality, similar to chewable grape aspirin. There's a noticeable vanilla icing sweetness that underlies the entire experience and is 'carried throughout its memory' - a fitting, almost Shakespearean imitation. I'm very pleased I decided to try it, and I'm concerned that future choices at the liquor store might be more challenging now that the rye selection will undergo serious scrutiny. 5.0 - Go buy every bottle you can find. 4.0 - A must-buy at least one bottle before you die. 3.0 - Solid, definitely try it at a bar or get someone else to share. 2.0 - I didn't enjoy it, but you might. 1.0 - You might have the taste buds of my dog, who licks his own rear.

The smell starts sweet, with hints of wine mixed with smooth oak, followed by earthy rye spice. It's spicy but nicely understated, with dark chocolate soon joining in. The taste is full, with rye spice on the sides of your mouth as wine sweetness rushes in with it. It's somewhat viscous as oak notes emerge with each chew. Everything works together in great harmony, simple yet full of flavor. It's incredibly smooth and the perfect mix of rye with a wine finish. The finish is long and slightly chewy, with lingering oak notes and a faint tingle of dark chocolate in the background.