Well, let me tell ya, if you ever get your hands on a bottle of this “A Midwinter Night’s Dram,” it’s somethin’ special, alright. Now, this here whiskey comes from High West Distillery, a place up in Park City. They sure know how to make a good drink, I’ll give ’em that. Now, this here bottle ain’t like the cheap stuff you find on the shelf; no sir, it’s one of them limited releases that come out only once in a while. They call it “A Midwinter Night’s Dram,” and it’s got a fancy name to go along with it, all based on some Shakespeare play or somethin’, but we ain’t here to talk about plays, we’re here to talk whiskey!
The whiskey itself, well, it’s made with mostly rye — 95% rye, to be exact, and the rest is barley malt. Now, I don’t know much about barley malt, but I know it sure adds to the taste. They mix this rye with some port barrel-aged stuff, and that’s where the magic happens. This port thing, it’s a kinda wine barrel, y’see, and it makes the whiskey real smooth-like, with a bit of a fruity taste. If you’re lucky enough to get a bottle from, say, Act 9 or Act 10, you’ll get a real treat. They got all kinds of fruity notes in there, red fruit, some spice too, but not too much, just enough to make you wanna take another sip. Ain’t nothing too harsh about it, just nice and mellow.
Now, they been puttin’ out these bottles for a few years now. I heard the first one was back in 2012 or so, and each year they come out with a new “Act” and “Scene,” like it’s some kinda play. The Act is the year the whiskey was bottled, and the Scene? Well, that’s the specific batch or release. So when you see something like “Act 11, Scene 9,” it means it’s the 2023 version, all bottled up nice and neat. And they don’t make a whole lotta these bottles neither, so when they do come out, folks just about fight over ’em!
Now, I ain’t the kind of person who spends a whole lotta money on fancy drinks, but I gotta say, this Midwinter Night’s Dram? It’s worth the splurge if you ask me. Yeah, it’s on the pricey side, anywhere from $100 to $150 a bottle. Might be a bit steep for some folks, but if you’re lookin’ for a good bottle to impress someone or just treat yourself on a cold winter’s night, this here whiskey’s about as good as it gets.
They tell me that since 2019, the whiskey’s been aged anywhere from 4 to 7 years. They’ve been usin’ their own rye for a while now, and I reckon it’s done ‘em some good. It’s that nice balance between the sweetness from the port barrels and the kick from the rye that really sets it apart. It don’t matter which Act or Scene you get your hands on, you’re gonna taste that richness that comes from all that time spent in them barrels. Just makes you wanna sit by the fire and sip on it all night long.
Now, I know some folks might be wonderin’, “Is this worth the price?” Well, let me tell ya, if you’re lookin’ for somethin’ real special for a cold night, somethin’ that’ll make ya feel fancy, then yes, it is. But if you’re just lookin’ for a regular bottle to drink while you watch the game, might wanna look somewhere else. This one here is a bit of a treat for those who like to enjoy the finer things in life.
But, lemme warn ya, if you don’t care for rye whiskey or port barrel flavors, you might not find it your cup of tea. It’s got a little bit of that spice and fruitiness that some folks ain’t too fond of. But if you’re one of them folks who likes a good whiskey that’s a little different, well then this here’s for you!
All in all, I’d say if you ever get the chance to try “A Midwinter Night’s Dram,” don’t pass it up. It’s a fine drink from a fine distillery, and it’s sure to make a cold night feel a little warmer. Just make sure you’re ready to pay the price, ‘cause this whiskey ain’t cheap, but it sure is worth it.
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