For six years running, Utah’s High West Distillery continues to ring in the holiday season with the release of a straight rye whiskey blend: A Midwinter Night’s Dram – named to a centuries-old play written by an English chap named Shakespeare. Similar to the play, the whiskey seems to be growing more popular with age. High West – Utah’s first legal distillery since 1870 – gathers so much attention amongst ardent fans that it even earned the “cult offering” designation, meaning there’s hardly enough supply to meet demands.
The just-released A Midwinter Night’s Dram Act VI ($100) is without a doubt the most anticipated release yet, as the blend offers something its predecessors don’t – whiskey made on-site in High West’s own stills. “Previous blends comprised spirits gleaned from distilleries contracted by the brand, such as Barton 1792 Distillery in Kentucky and Midwest Grain Products of Indiana,” states Robb Report.
The Act VI features French oak finish port barrels and is bottled at 98.6 proof. The whisky offers a splendorous aroma, with notes of toasted pecan, pinecone, Bing cherry, and rich custard pie on the nose. It doesn’t end there – an impressive flavor profile comes right up front with cedar, molasses, dark chocolate, and gingerbread. Once the whiskey settles on the palate, you can expect cloves, dark berries, candied ginger, and tart citrus notes, lingering throughout a robust finish.
