High West A Midwinter Night's Dram Rye Whiskey

Product Description

A Midwinter Night's Dram: High West's Most Anticipated Annual Release

"Are you sure that we are awake? It seems to me that yet we sleep, we dream." That line from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream inspired the name of one of High West Distillery's most celebrated releases. Like the works of the Bard himself, a glass of A Midwinter Night's Dram is made to be savored, and over all too quickly. First introduced in 2013, this port cask finished rye whiskey has become a cult favorite among rye enthusiasts, released annually each winter and eagerly hunted by collectors for its rich, evolving character.

Built on High West's celebrated Rendezvous Rye as its base, A Midwinter Night's Dram is a sumptuous marriage of straight rye whiskeys finished in Ruby and Tawny Port barrels. The underlying rye forms a beautiful foundation of vanilla, caramel, and cinnamon, while the extended time in port casks layers in notes of plum, dried fruit, and warm baking spice. The result drinks like a proper holiday plum pudding in a glass, brimming with mulling spices, dried fruit, and crème anglaise, best sipped slowly through the coldest night of the season.

Each annual release is labeled with its own "Act" and "Scene," following the Shakespearean naming convention that's become the brand's signature. Every Act represents a unique vintage, a specific blend and finishing period that will never be exactly replicated, making each year's release a genuine one-time expression rather than a fixed, repeatable recipe. Whether you're collecting every Act as it's released or simply looking for the ultimate winter dram, A Midwinter Night's Dram remains one of the most sought-after seasonal whiskeys in the category.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Rich and complex, with brandied cherries, fig jam, plum, and warm baking spice, layered with vanilla, oak, and gentle rye spice.

Palate: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove open into ripe stone fruit, caramelized sugar, and rich port wine sweetness, balanced by the underlying rye's peppery backbone.

Finish: Long, warming, and elegant, with lingering spiced fruit compote, oak tannin, and a final wave of gentle rye spice.

Food Pairings

A Midwinter Night's Dram's rich, dessert-like profile pairs beautifully with holiday and cold-weather fare. Try it alongside roasted duck, aged cheddar, or a charcuterie board with dried figs and candied pecans, or lean into its sweetness with plum pudding, spiced pecan pie, or dark chocolate.

Serving Suggestions

A Midwinter Night's Dram is best enjoyed neat, allowing it to slowly open in the glass on a cold evening by the fire. Its rich port-driven sweetness also makes it an excellent choice for a winter Old Fashioned or Manhattan, where its dried fruit and baking spice character can shine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "Act" and "Scene" mean on the label? Following the release's Shakespearean naming convention, each annual bottling is labeled with its own Act and Scene, marking that specific year's unique blend and finishing period. No two Acts are exactly alike.

What is the base whiskey? High West's Rendezvous Rye, a blend of straight rye whiskeys, finished in Ruby and Tawny Port barrels.

Is this a limited release? Yes. A Midwinter Night's Dram is released once a year, typically in the winter months, and each Act sells out before the next year's release.

Since when has this whiskey been released? The series was first introduced in 2013 and has been released annually each winter since.

How should I enjoy it? Neat, savored slowly by the fire, or mixed into a winter Old Fashioned or Manhattan.

Explore More

Love High West? Browse our full High West collection for Rendezvous Rye, Double Rye, Campfire, and more limited seasonal releases.

Looking for more bold, spicy American whiskey? Shop our full Rye Whiskey collection to discover more standout ryes.

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