High West Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 13 Review: Worth $150?

BOTTLE DETAILS

• DISTILLER: High West Distillery
• MASH BILL: Blend of two straight rye whiskies: 95% Rye | 5% Malted Barley from MGPI; and 80% Rye | 20% Malted Rye from High West Distillery
• AGE: A blend of 4- to 10-year-old whiskies
• YEAR: 2025
• PROOF: 98.6 (49.3% ABV)
• MSRP: $149.99
• BUY ONLINE: High West Online Bottle Shop

STEVE'S NOTES

SHARE WITH: All rye whiskey fans, as well as those who love Port barrel finishes.

WORTH THE PRICE: That depends on what you want and expect from this rye whiskey. If you know the series well, and this one aligns with previous iterations, there's little risk in buying it even at the $150 MSRP. You'll be happy with it. But if you're like me and new to this legendary release, try a pour before you buy.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bar. There's a good likelihood that a bottle might be worth it after you taste it.

OVERALL: If you've never visited High West Distillery in Wanship, Utah, it's well worth the 45-minute drive outside of Salt Lake City. If it's ski season, plan for a lot of traffic, but in warm seasons–it gets hot in the summer–it's smooth sailing. What I experienced on my trip there about 2 years ago was amazing. Great tour, beautiful lodge setting, and the ability to taste a huge array of this distillery's broader-than-broad portfolio of releases. Fantastic restaurant, too. Can't recommend it highly enough.

Of all the whiskeys our press group tasted there, I don't recall any being a past iteration of the Midwinter Night's Dram series (now in its 13th year). Fine by me, given everything else we tasted. And sometimes you want to skip the hit singles and indulge in some deep cuts, which we got to do. So, when I got a sample offer of the 2025 MND release, I really wanted to get after it since it's so well-liked. Long story short, it didn't disappoint.

Two things immediately come to the nose: rye spice and Port notes. The whole is pleasantly plummy and jammy with a lot of tobacco leaf and old wet oak. Notes of allspice rise higher in the glass while brighter raspberry notes lie at the bottom, closer to the whiskey. Keep at it, and confectioner's sugar and a patisserie shop show up. Nosing this is a real treat.

On the palate, it's surprisingly lighter than expected. As the rye and port barrel influences came first to the nose, they check in at the palate similarly. But they linger only briefly before giving way to oak, allspice, warmth and a delicate yet luxurious finish. If you're a fan of Port barrel finishes, as I am, it might please you to find the tawny and ruby red influences in equal balance. On one hand, I like that also because it attests to the blender's skill. But sometimes I like one of them to stand out just to affirm the uniqueness of the Port wines first aged in those barrels. Sure, one could find that a weird preference, but I'll own it.

Holding it in the mouth does reveal some lighter fruit flavors–cooked plum and strawberries among them–but it's just not as bold overall as I anticipated. Perhaps some of that's owed to its highly approachable 98.6 proof.

There's zero wrong with this whiskey. Not only is it nicely balanced overall, fruit, spice and light tannin all get equal billing. And given that I have little experience with this long running and highly coveted series, maybe this is the way it's always been and this is what Midwinter Night's Dram fans really love. There's certainly nothing wrong with that. And in this market, $150 is not some clutch-the-pearls ask either. At the very least, you're getting a well-crafted whiskey for that extra bit of change.

BRAND NOTES

NOSE: Crushed blackberries, mandarin zest, almond shortbread, fig jam, dulce de membrillo, allspice, old vine zinfandel, and plum syrup spilled on a mahogany table.

PALATE: Marionberry preserves, chocolate-dripped cherries, marbled rye bread, mochaccino cinnamon bark, oolong tea, winter pine, and smoldering Havana cigar.

FINISH: Velvety and spiced–chai fold foam, clove-studded orange flesh, and soft ginger chew.

Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.