I finally was able to snag the bottle of Midwinter Nights Dram Act 11 after hunting for everything via the release windowpane, and honestly, the particular anticipation was eliminating me. If you've been following Great West Distillery for any length of time, you know this specific release is becoming something of a cult classic in the whiskey entire world. It's that one container everyone starts requesting about when the leaves begin to turn brown and the particular air gets a little crisp.
For those who else aren't deep in the bourbon and rye trenches, this particular bottle is essentially Higher West's Rendezvous Rye that has already been finished in dark red and tawny interface barrels. The outcome is supposed to be "Christmas in a glass, " but a yearly release, there's often the big query: does this year's version actually live up to the hype, or even are we simply chasing a content label? After spending a few nights with Act 11, I've got some ideas.
What Is Midwinter Nights Dram Act 11 About?
Before we obtain into the tasting, it's worth referring to what High West is doing here. The bottom of the Midwinter Nights Dram Act 11 is definitely their signature rye blend. They've eliminated through some adjustments over the many years regarding their finding and their very own pot-still distillate, however the primary identity remains the spicy, punchy rye.
The particular "magic" happens during the finishing process. By tucking that rye into interface wine barrels, they round off the sharp edges of the grain plus replace these these deep, dark fruits notes. It's a seasonal release, which usually is why it's called "A Midwinter Night's Dram"—a cheeky nod to Shakespeare, obviously—and it's created to be sipped by a fireplace while the snow piles up outdoors.
Each year they discharge different "Acts" and "Scenes. " The particular Act describes the particular year's batch, and the Scene describes the specific bottling day. So, if you're looking with a bottle associated with Midwinter Nights Dram Act 11, you're looking at the 2023 release.
Breaking Down the particular Flavor Profile
When I first damaged open the Midwinter Nights Dram Act 11, the odor hit me instantly. You don't actually have to put your nose deep straight into the glass to obtain it. It's heavy on the black cherry, plum, plus a bit of that toasted oak. There's a distinct "jammy" quality to it that you only get from high-quality port finish.
Taking that first sip, I noticed the rye spice right away. It's not a shy rum. You receive that initial hit of cinnamon and baking spices, but then the interface takes over. It likes like muddled blackberries, chocolates, and probably a hint associated with leather. It's wealthy, thick, and has a mouthfeel that clothes everything.
One thing I seriously liked about Act 11 compared in order to some previous yrs may be the balance. Occasionally, finished ryes can lean too tough into the wines influence and start tasting like a weird, fortified thick syrup. Here, the rye still feels like the star from the present; the port is just the really expensive velvet suit it's wearing.
How It Examines to Previous Many years
If we're being real, Act 10 was obviously a little bit of a polarizing one for a lot of people. Some folks thought it was a masterpiece, while others experienced it had dropped a bit of the "zip" that will made the early works so famous. Drinking the Midwinter Nights Dram Act 11 feels like a slight return to form. It feels a bit more vibrant and a little less "woody" than last year's bottle.
Used to do a side-by-side using a tiny bit associated with Act 9 I actually had left (I save the great things for special occasions), and Act 11 holds its own. Act 9 was obviously a little bit sweeter, maybe a little bit more "dessert-forward, " whereas Act 11 has a somewhat drier finish that I actually choose. It makes you need to go back with regard to a second sip rather than experiencing like you've just eaten an entire slice of fruitcake.
The Cost Tag and the Hunt
Right now, we have to talk regarding the elephant in the room: the cost. A few many years ago, you could discover these bottles for approximately $100. These days, the particular MSRP has hopped up significantly. Intended for Midwinter Nights Dram Act 11, you're looking at a retail price nearer to $150, plus if you're buying from a liquor store that wants to mark things up, you may view it for $200 or even more.
Is usually it worth $150? That's a tough call. Whiskey prices are getting pretty outrageous across the plank, and while this is usually a fantastic pour, that's a lot of money to get a finished rye. Nevertheless, if you like that specific taste profile—that mixture of spice and dark fruit—there really isn't everything else on the market that hits quite the same method. There are "clones" and other port-finished ryes, but Large West has the way of mixing this that continues to be pretty unique.
The hunt is also part of the experience, for better or worse. Based on where a person live, these bottles might vanish within minutes of hitting the shelves. I had fashioned to call about to three various shops before I discovered a guy who was prepared to hold one behind the counter to have a hr. It's a bit of a headaches, but for enthusiasts of the series, it's become the yearly tradition.
Best Methods to Take pleasure in Act 11
I'm usually the "drink it nevertheless you want" kind of person, but I truly believe Midwinter Nights Dram Act 11 should get to become drank nice. Putting this upon ice would close down all those delicate fruit notes through the port barrels. If it feels a bit too "hot" or even spicy for a person, just give it ten or 15 minutes in the glass to breathe in. It opens upward beautifully.
In the event that you're feeling luxury, this also can make an absolutely monster Manhattan. Use a high-quality sweet vermouth and maybe an additional dash of red bitters. It's the decadent cocktail, for sure, but sometimes you want to treat yourself.
I've also found it sets incredibly well with food. Usually, rum and food can be tricky, but the dark fruit plus spice in Act 11 go completely with a razor-sharp blue cheese or even a piece of darkish chocolate. It's the best "after-dinner" drink.
Final Thoughts upon the Release
All things considered, Midwinter Nights Dram Act 11 is definitely a win within my book. It's a solid, reliable release that provides exactly what it promises. It's cozy, complex, plus feels special. Even with the price walk, it's a bottle that I'm delighted to have on my shelf for the holidays.
If you see it at a reasonable price, grab it. It's a great discussion starter, and let's be honest, the bottle looks great as hell upon a bar basket. Whether you're the long-time fan of High West or you're just looking with regard to something to drink on while you hide from your family members during Christmas supper, this one is difficult to beat.
The mixture of the two sorts of port barrels really shines this year, giving this a layered sweet taste that doesn't sense artificial. It's already been an enjoyable journey following this series, plus seeing where these people take it each year is always a highlight of the whiskey calendar. Act 11 proves that Great West still knows exactly what they're doing when it comes to the art of the finish.
So, here's to the particular cold nights plus the warm pores. If you manage to find a bottle, pour the glass, put upon some music, plus just enjoy the truth that you discovered one. It's a wild world associated with whiskey out there, but Midwinter Nights Dram Act 11 reminds us the reason why we started searching for these containers in the 1st place. It's simply plain good.