Oh, honey, let me tell you about this fancy bottle I came across, it’s called “A Midwinter Night’s Dram, Act 11”. Sounds like a fancy name for a play, don’t it? But no, it’s just a special whiskey, and not the kind you’d be findin’ in every little shop. Now, this here whiskey, it’s somethin’ that’s got folks talkin’ ever since it hit the shelves last October. It’s part of a series, see, and every year, they come out with a new “Act.” This year’s Act 11’s got people all excited, I reckon.
This whiskey, made by High West Distillery, is a special kind of rye. They finish it in Port barrels, which gives it that rich, fruity flavor that hits just right when the weather turns cold. You know, it’s the kind of drink you’d want to sip on when you’re sittin’ by the fire with your loved ones, watchin’ the snow fall outside. Real cozy-like.
Now, the first thing you need to know about this here drink is that it ain’t somethin’ you’ll be findin’ in every store. It’s a limited release, and let me tell ya, they ain’t makin’ too much of it. They say the 2023 version’s the biggest release they’ve done yet, with 189,684 bottles available worldwide. Don’t you go thinkin’ you can just stroll down to your local liquor store and grab a bottle like it’s any ol’ bottle of whiskey. Nope, this one’s a little harder to get your hands on.
The whiskey’s got a bit of a story behind it, too. You see, every year they label it by “Act” and “Scene.” Kinda like a play, right? The Act tells ya what year it was made, and the Scene tells ya which batch it came from. For example, last year was Act 10, and this year’s Act 11. If you’re a fan of these here bottles, you’ll know they like to put out a new “Act” every fall. It’s somethin’ to look forward to, like the harvest in the fall.
High West’s rye whiskey is a mix of their own distillate and some from MGP, a distillery in Indiana. From what I hear, the rye in this drink’s been aged anywhere from four to seven years. That’s how they get it so smooth, with all the right flavors poppin’ through. This year’s Act 11 is especially good, they say it’s got a bit of a fruity taste, almost like dried fruit. Some folks even say it tastes like plums or cherries—real sweet like, but not too sweet, ya know?
Now, don’t go thinkin’ it’s all sweetness, though. It’s got a good bit of spice to it, too. That’s from the rye, of course. When they finish it in those Port barrels, it mellows out the spice just a little, but it still packs a punch. It’s got a proof of 98.6, which is about 49.3% alcohol by volume, so don’t be thinkin’ you can just drink it down like water. A little goes a long way.
And let me tell ya, if you like a good whiskey that feels special, this one’s for you. It’s a drink for the holidays, for those cold nights when the wind’s howlin’ outside, and you’re lookin’ for somethin’ to warm you up. They’ve really hit it out of the park this time, and it’s better than last year’s release, no doubt about it. People are sayin’ it’s smoother, with more of those dried fruit notes that really make it stand out.
Now, I ain’t gonna lie, not everyone’s head over heels for it. Some folks reckon the 2023 release didn’t quite live up to the hype, sayin’ it didn’t have as much of a kick as last year. But you know how it is, tastes can differ from person to person. Some folks like their whiskey a little spicier, while others prefer a smoother, more mellow drink. But from where I sit, it’s a mighty fine bottle. If you can get your hands on a bottle, I’d say it’s worth tryin’ out. Just don’t go drinkin’ too much, ‘cause that’ll catch up to ya!
So there you have it, sugar. If you’re lookin’ for somethin’ special to enjoy this fall or winter, this “A Midwinter Night’s Dram, Act 11” might just be the one. It’s a little expensive, sure, but it’s got a good bit of charm. Like I said, it’s a limited release, so if you see a bottle, don’t wait too long before snatchin’ it up. You never know when the next Act will come around, and whether it’ll be as good as this one.
Enjoy, and stay warm, y’all!
Tags：[High West, Midwinter Night’s Dram, Act 11, rye whiskey, port barrel finished whiskey, limited release, tasting notes, 2023 whiskey, whiskey review, holiday whiskey]
