Palate: Just like the nose was, rye notes seem much stronger than the port wine on the tongue. There are still some fruity flavors to be found, but as a whole, dry oak, sharp cinnamon, peppermint and a little bit of citrus zest are most noticeable.

A few further specifics before we get to tasting: This is from the edition labeled “Act 8, Scene 4.” It comes to us at 98.6 proof (49.3% ABV), the same as prior releases in the series, and a delightfully odd non-integer around which to standardize. A Midwinter Night’s Dram – Review The fact that “French Oak” was used in the description was likely because the oak used to create those Ruby and Tawny Port barrels probably were harvested in France. Unless mandatory applicable law provides otherwise, your use of and membership to the Service are exclusively governed by Dutch law. We shall first try to settle any dispute over a dram of whisky. Disputes that cannot be settled over multiple drams of whisky shall be solely submitted to the court of Amsterdam, The Netherlands unless mandatory applicable law provides otherwise. High West A Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 11 is described as having aromas of “poached pears, dried cherry, star anise, nutmeg, spiced Christmas cookie, dark chocolate mocha, cinnamon ginger cake, and leaves on a forest floor.” The palate has notes of “fig, cranberry, dark plum jam on rye toast, gingerbread, sipping chocolate, brandied cherries, winter-spiced mocha, and French oakspice.”

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No real surprises here. This is classic, sherry-aged Glenmorangie. It’s actually not too far removed from the Oloroso-finished Lasanta expression in the core lineup, although this does feel a bit softer and perhaps better balanced. The aroma is rich and waxy with notes of honeycomb and ripe cantaloupe. As things open, the sherry influence builds with toasted nuts, caramelized sugar, and a bit of fig jam, but it’s not as punchy as Lasanta with plenty of that classic, golden Glenmorangie character shining through. On the palate, a similar balance ensues with orange blossom honey and shortbread biscuits giving way to sugared almonds, baking spice, and a subtle note of warm berry cobbler. The finish is light, yielding a gingery, warming spice and a bit of clove-studded orange. Taste: Dark fruits like fig and plum jam on rye toast are plentiful in this expression, coupled with cranberry, gingerbread, hot chocolate, brandied cherries and peppermint mocha. High West unveiled its annual A Midwinter Night’s Dram expression. This is Act 11. (Photo: High West)

Regardless of whether the Service offers the functionality to contribute, you are solely responsible and liable for any content and information that you create, upload, post, publish, link to, duplicate, transmit, record, display or otherwise make available on the Service or to other Members, such as chat messages, text messages, videos, audio, audio recordings, music, pictures, photographs, text and any other information or materials, whether publicly posted or privately transmitted (“Contributions”). It’s still a pleasant nose and identifiable as Midwinter’s Night Dram, but it’s likely the youth that is creating this difference. Sharp cinnamon, mint and oregano and honey combine with the fruit notes that come with the port wine. But something went wrong with either MWND or Encore and they scrapped the idea. In the end, they were both made into two separate releases. T his could point to the fact that MWND was going through a big change-up for 2022 and both final products weren’t really what the blenders at High West envisioned. The 11th edition of A Midwinter Night’s Dram from Utah-based High West Distillery will be the largest release in the series to date. Act 11 of A Midwinter Night’s Dram will have increased availability internationallySome reviewers out there speculated that MWND changed its composition for Act 10 because the press release no longer mentioned the whiskey was finished in French Oak barrels. I don’t think that is the case, though. In the years prior, I’ve always been told that High West was using both Ruby and Tawny Port casks to finish MWND in. A Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 11 is made from High West’s Rendezvous Rye whiskey expression that is finished in ruby and tawny port barrels. Some details about the liquid are below: High West A Midwinter Night’s Dram is their traditional Rendezvous Rye that’s been finished in French Oak & ex-Port casks. If you’re not familiar with it, the traditional HWRR is a blend of 6-year-old MGP rye and 16-year-old Barton rye; both have a massive rye mashbill but lend different characteristics to the whiskey. The balancing act Perkins creates by combining ryes that are a decade apart is spectacular and it’s one of my favorite daily drinkin’ ryes.