Midwinter Night's Dram Act 14: High West Adds Sherry Casks

High West’s A Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 14 adds sherry casks to the blend for the first time, marking the distillery’s 20th anniversary. Tara Lindley, Director of Sensory & New Product Development, broke down the new release on the latest Bourbon Lens Podcast.

“For the 20-year anniversary, we took the liberty to go way out,” Lindley said.

What’s new in Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 14

The blend still starts with Rendezvous Rye finished in Ruby and Tawny port barrels. This year High West added Rendezvous finished in Amontillado, Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry barrels for more oxidative character, raisin depth and body.

It also includes High West rye that spent six years in port barrels. “We have been holding on to and hoarding these port barrels that we put down six years ago of High West rye,” Lindley said. Finishing times now range from five months to six years, the widest in the program’s history.

Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 14 details

Whiskey: Rendezvous Rye, straight rye whiskeys aged 4–10 years
Proof: 98.6 (49.3% ABV), non-chill filtered
Tasting notes: wild strawberry, blackberry preserves and fig; blood orange, cherry fruit leather and plum crumble; a jam thumbprint cookie and spiced chai finish
Price: $124.99 SRP
Where to buy: limited national release at High West General Stores and highwest.com

How to drink it

Lindley’s advice is to pour it and wait. “I think that this whiskey really opens up nicely if you leave it in the glass for about half an hour,” she said.

Listen to the full interview

Hear Tara Lindley explain how she builds the blend, why Act 11 is her favorite and how Act 14 compares to Act 13 on the Bourbon Lens Podcast and YouTube. For more on the distillery, revisit High West Distillery Celebrates 20 Years of Innovative Whiskey Craftsmanship and our 2022 Midwinter Night’s Dram review.

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