High West A Midwinter Night's Dram Act 6 (All Scenes)

HIGH WEST SHOWDOWN High West American Prairie Bourbon High West Campfire High West A Midwinter Night’s Dram, Act 6 Scene 4 Continuing to work through whiskies in my collection that I’ve yet to review. High West is a Utah-based distiller that uses sourced whiskies in addition to their own distillate. To my knowledge, they don’t white-label any single sourced product; rather, they blend different whiskies. I became a fan when I acquired my first version of A Midwinter Night’s Dram, and I’ve since purchased a couple others. While each of these are quite different—one is a bourbon, one is a whiskey, and one is a blend of straight rye whiskies—their components are uniquely combined by the same producer. High West American Prairie Bourbon Color is a clear, bourbonesque Pantone 153. Nose evokes caramel, graham cracker, sawdust, and a light herbaceous note, along with cooling spearmint. Sweet palate with honey, candied orange, with an oaky spiciness that leads to a vanilla finish with good length. American Prairie Bourbon (now labeled “High West Bourbon”) uses sourced bourbon from both MGP and Kentucky. According to their website (the label directs you there for the specifics), the MGP mashbill is 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. Another (non-MGP) is 84% corn, 8% rye, and 8% malted barley. Additionally, it notes that “Other whiskey components are undisclosed due to contractual reasons.” I’m fine with this. Contracts are contracts. But there’s no obfuscation; no smoke and mirrors (well, there is smoke in the Campfire whiskey, below). They take pains to be clear and forthright. And my bottle notes that 10% of the bottle’s after-tax profits go to the American Prairie Reserve. APB offers sweetness, spice, complexity, 92 proof points, and can be found for just over $30. There are few if any bourbons in the market offering that combination and value. Would I buy it again? Yes. Without hesitation. Pour it neat, turn on the TV to “Yellowstone,” and embrace your inner cowboy. 4.0 on the Distiller scale. 46% ABV. NAS. Batch 17J27. Non chill filtered. No added coloring. High West Campfire Whiskey Color is slightly lighter than the American Prairie Bourbon, and registers around Pantone 138. Nose shows smoke and honey, honey and smoke, some clove, and cool spearmint. Smoke and honey, honey and smoke: High West Campfire is the Islay of the Rockies. The unique combination of smoke and sweetness is unlike the sweet and smoke of some Ardbeg offerings, or Lagavulin Distiller’s Edition. It is uniquely High West, who is to be commended for blazing new whiskey trails and merging disparate distillates (and flavor profiles) with aplomb. Campfire retails for $80. There is nothing like it, anywhere. Would I buy it again? Yes. 4.0 on the Distiller scale. 46% ABV. Batch 17R15 High West A Midwinter Night’s Dram Rye Whiskey, Act 6 Scene 4 This whiskey is the darkest of the bunch, with deep russet hues that show as Pantone 160. The nose greets you with copious brown sugar, mulled cider, baked apples, some oaky vanilla (in a non-cacophanous way), and a pleasantly unambiguous sweet rye note. The whiskey meets the tongue with a light oiliness, melding into classic rye spice, finishing long, with more vanilla. Superb. A Midwinter Night’s Dram has a few releases each year: “Act” refers to the year since the first release, and “Scene” refers to the iteration of that year’s release. According to the distiller, this bottling begins with the High West Renezvous Rye (which includes both High West and sourced distillate) and is finished in both tawny and ruby port barrels. “Words, words, words” said The Bard whom the title references. “Rye, rye, rye” says the humble writer of this paean to the Utopians of Utah. Or, not quite homonymically: “aye, aye, aye.” I bought this bottle some time ago; apparently now the current release retails for about $250, according to an Internet search, although High West’s website shows a retail price of $125. I think I paid around $90 a few years back (this particular bottle was in my inventory, unopened until tonight). Would I buy it again? Aye. Even if I had to sell something. 4.25 on the Distiller scale. 49.3% ABV. There’s much to like about High West Distillery. Their bottles are rustic, with air bubbles within the glass, uneven bottle floors, and dappled surfaces. The labels feature ragged-edged fonts. Their products feature Western-themed names, with the exception of A Midwinter Night’s Dram—and who am I to have a beef with channeling Shakespeare? Rugged with a touch of sophistication. And it’s not just the marketing. High West’s whiskies are non-chill filtered and have no added coloring. The labels are specific in mashbills; disclose sourcing details when they are contractually allowed; and spin stories that have no need for the literary suspension of disbelief. The point-size of the copious fine print crammed into the back labels suggests a friendly transparency and warm embrace. There is nothing to hide here. High West doesn’t sell any watered-down 80-proof whiskies, which suggests not only a commitment to quality, but the concomitant high proof is symbiotic with their rough Western vibe. They have a philanthropic ethos. All of this suggests a vision that is committed to quality—and even art, considering their consistent marketing themes. Horace Greely had it right: “Go West, young man!” N.B.: All spirits tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

This is one I wasn't seeking out, but I was in a local ABC as they were putting out 6 bottles and I had a little extra cash so... I took a chance. MWND Act 7 Scene 2 NOSE: The nose on High West seldom disappoints and this one is no exception. Complex and Evolving the longer it sits. Definitely Rye! I get a savory Umami Note that for me is a characteristic of several HW Ryes. Dried Herbs and Spices like Black Pepper, Cinnamon, Clove, Dill and Mustard Seed. You also have some Dried Dark Fruits in the background. Think Raisins or Prunes. After a while, the Dill begins to dominate. A nose of the empty glass yield Floral and Oak notes that transition to a Humidor full of Cigars. Very good! NEAT: Dry Spicy Oak dominates. Dry Red Wine, Dried Fruit, with just a touch of Vanilla. I get Sweet Tea down the center of the tongue with Black Pepper down the sides. Nice warming Medium Length Finish. The palate is coated with the Spicy Oak, Fresh Mint and Port Wine. This fades to a Grassy, Earthy note. The Mouthfeel is Silky and Tingly. SPLASH: The palate on MWND seems almost angry or aggressive, but a little water has a calming effect. To the nose it adds Orange Peel and Caramelized Sugars. Burnt Pie Crust? Transforms the nose more to the sweet side. It really helps some of the conflicting notes on the palate play a little more nicely together. Reduces the Black Pepper and helps bring the Vanilla to the forefront. The Wood is a little less dominant as well. Takes on a Sweet-ish Wine-y quality. The coating of the palate is a little sweeter and the nice Grassy Note on the finish arrives sooner and is more pronounced. Cherries also make a late appearance. The more I drink of this, the more I like it. VERDICT: While this is not something I sought to purchase, I'm glad I lucked into it and purchased it on impulse. I was struggling with this until I gave it a little water. There are probably not very many spirits I've reviewed that have more notes under "splash" than "neat". An interesting whiskey and I could see myself buying it again, even with the $100 price tag. Well done HW!

Act 6/Scene 4 I have been out of commission for the past few weeks. Ready to do some samplin’. I been out purchasing A Midwinters Nights Dram since Act 2. I was instantly hooked. Act 3 was almost as as good as Act 2. Each year, though, has seen diminishing returns (though I haven’t yet tasted Act 5; still unopened). Act 6 finds High West working their home brewed, non-sourced rye into the fray. Each fall I get eager for the this rye seeking for the days of yore. The distinctive baking spice qualities are present: nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, allspice. There is a subtle fruity raspberry jam sweetness that hovers just above the spices. Vanilla, dill and pine needles surface after some time. It transported me to a pine forest on a crisp cool afternoon. Nice nose. What arrive on the palate is not what I’m is on the nose. Medium weight and velvety body delivers wood spice, black pepper and spearmint. Faint notes of cola come through as it works towards a finish. The cola carries forward along with a minty, resinous, drying pine wood. Some remnants of apple skins, black licorice and bitter dark chocolate carry the finish to a long lasting close. A healthy dose of water soften the spice and accentuates the sweetness, though the dram. As it compares to the early generations, Act 6 is a shadow of its former self. The balance is off and I sense that weaker casks were used during maturation or younger, rushed spirit was produced; almost as if the former recipe is trying to be rediscovered. A recently sampled Sagamore Rye Port Finish At half the cost provides a better, more balanced experience. Would I consider Act 7 at $125? Probably not, but still may be lored into wishful tasting seeking what once was. [86/100][$125][Tasted: 10/11/19]

Act 6 Scene 5. Bottle has been open for 10 months or so now, about at the halfway mark so I thought I’d finally jot some tasting notes. A deeply red, attractive bronze. Slightly viscous, but not too oily. Bubblegum nose, some dry white grape and pear. Simultaneously rich and crisply mineral. A brief snap of ethanol spice concludes each (and every) nosing. Doesn’t singe or force you away, just makes its presence known. Opens the palate mouth-fillingly sweet, then buttery, then the bubblegum and grape must assert themselves. Tingles build gently on the sides of the tongue and cheeks, then flash through the back of the mouth on the finish. Fresh chilis and lemon Starburst linger on. Some bitter chocolate. Nutmeg. Orange rind. Definitely herbal notes - both floral marjoram and peppery basil come to mind. I really, really like this, even though some parts feel a smidge disjointed. Shares some kinship with Willet rye. The barrel finishing is well-executed and complimentary. Quite complex and hard to decipher everything thats going on. I think the core notes have been consistent throughout the bottle, but otherwise my perceptions have varied widely each time. I honestly wasn’t much of a fan for the first tasting or two. I have grown to enjoy this quite a bit, although I missed the much venerated first few acts and thus don’t know how much better it could be. Thankfully respectable opinions indicate that act 7 may yet be an upgrade, so I’m thankful I have an a7s5 bottle in hand.

I’ve been a huge fan of High West. Visited their distillery. Did the tour. Paid for the overpriced 14 yr Distillery only whiskey. But it was my first taste of their act 2 and 3 that made me fall in love. I recall those early acts were like orange infused spice markets, filled with scents like mulled wine. More on the oranges, cloves, and dark fruits with the right balance from the wine. But I also felt that their more recent offerings of Midwinter simply didn’t stand up the amazing Act 2 and 3, but almost doubled in price. I held off buying Act 6, even though it’s now made partially with their own juice. Thanks to my buddy @Scott_E, who sent me a generous pour , I got to sample it. I’m afraid the more recent Acts do not live up to the original early versions. There’s now somewhat an imbalance of the wine cask. Less oranges and cloves, those winter spices, and more of the red wine. Slightly tannic, much more cinnamon-y hotter. Personally I’d still rank their Act 2 and 3 as my favorites ( possibly top 10). This is pretty good, but at the current prices of $140+, hard pass. Instead if I want a midwinter-y rye, I’ll go for the $40 offering from Splinter Group. Thanks for this @Scott_E —thanks to you, I’ve now have had every Act of Midwinter (except their inaugural Act 1).

I’ve come to the conclusion that High West Distillery and the rock band Weezer walk the same cosmic line: fans either love what they were or what they’ve become. High West was the darling, craft distillery that gave us A Midwinter Night’s Dram Acts 1-3 and Weezer was a nerdy, alt-rock band that gave us Buddy Holly. Later they gave us (conglomerate) Midwinter Night’s Dram Acts 4-6 and Pork ‘n Beans, respectively. What. The. Everloving. Fuuuuuu-dge. I’ve had the privilege to try 4 ever-evolving batches of AMWND: 2:1, 4:1, 4:4 and now 6:4 (thanks @Scott_E). Needless to say, the quality has seemingly dropped each time. It’s like they took a Christmas spiced, Yankee candle and shredded it into some young, rye whiskey. The balances and experimentation from early releases, wine cask experimentation to pushing rye levels, has turned into more of a one-trick pony of youthful rye whiskey and tired barrels. Sigh. I miss the days when whiskey wasn’t so damn popular. Quality is suffering, prices are crazy and I’ve gotten older. Here’s to sticking with older, age statement Scotch whisky. Hipsters, excuse my French, but I hope you choke on your next Pickleback. Now, GET OFF MY LAWN, PUNKS. I need a shot of penicillin and a boilermaker. 🤣