A Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 11 Port Finished Rye has become a yearly ritual for whiskey lovers who crave a sweet, spiced pour when the cold wind bites. High West has made this bottle an event since 2013, pulling in fans who like both good rye and the rich touch of port barrels. Let’s break down what this 2023 release really brings to the table and where it stands in today’s packed rye scene.
How It Started
High West Distillery, based in Utah, first cooked up the idea to finish their well-known Rendezvous Rye in French oak and port barrels over a decade ago. The plan was simple: take their blend of older sourced MGP rye and their own house-made whiskey, then layer on rich dessert wine notes to warm up snowy nights. Over the years, the blend has changed. The early batches had older whiskeys tucked inside but today’s version often leans on younger stock, which some fans say gives mixed results.
What’s In The Bottle
A Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 11 holds blended straight rye whiskeys with two mash bills. One comes from MGP in Indiana, a 95% rye and 5% malted barley recipe. The other is High West’s own distillate, using 80% rye and 20% malted rye. It’s bottled at 98.6 proof, with no age statement. The MSRP hovers around $150, but with the way folks hunt these down, prices can shoot up quick.
Nose: Sweet But Shy
Pour a glass and you might catch a flash of sweet plum, brown sugar and a bit of orange zest. Those port barrel fruits show up fast but fade out just as quick. Let it sit and you can pull out hints of fig, blackberry and a soft buttercream. Sadly, the nose doesn’t roar. For a rye, it’s a little too calm. Some mint and tarragon poke out if you really hunt. Once empty, the glass leaves behind an odd mix of salt water and that craft funk that doesn’t thrill everyone.
Palate: Fruit And Fade
First sip gives you dark cherry, plum and raspberry. There’s a soft, syrup feel at the start but it dries the tongue fast. The fruit notes are simple and never really grow. A bit of dark chocolate and mint flicker in the background. Take more sips and you’ll spot flashes of pear liqueur with cinnamon, but nothing lingers. By the end, it’s mostly raisinets and sweet syrup with a harsh edge that turns drying instead of juicy.
Is Act 11 Still Worth It?
Fans who’ve been chasing this bottle since the early days might feel a bit let down. Earlier acts often had a bigger punch, with deeper nose and a finish that lingered longer. Act 11 tries to keep that magic alive but falls short when lined up with other bottles using the same port finish trick. High West is no longer the only name in the game either. Smaller craft distilleries like Starlight are doing single barrels with strong port finishes that rival or beat this. Angel’s Envy keeps turning heads with their own versions. Even Rare Character is putting out barrels that whiskey geeks can’t stop talking about.
Where It Fits In 2023
With the market packed full of unique rye whiskeys, the limited release angle only works if the bottle truly stands out. Today’s Act 11 feels more like a collector’s piece than a must-have pour for a serious rye drinker. If you’re a fan of sweeter dessert-style whiskey and you love the yearly High West tradition, you’ll still enjoy it by the fire. If you want bold rye spice and a nose that keeps pulling you back, you may want to look elsewhere.
The Bottom Line
A Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 11 keeps the winter tradition alive but struggles to match its older siblings. The port finish is clear but the rye doesn’t bite back enough to balance that syrup sweetness. For the price, you’ll find plenty of craft picks and single barrels doing the same thing with a fresher twist. That said, it still brings a cozy warmth on a cold night and gives fans something to toast with during the long dark months.
If you snag one at retail, it’s worth a pour with friends. Just don’t expect fireworks or deep layers. Pour a glass, savor that plum and cherry note while the snow falls outside, and remember that sometimes the story around the bottle is half the fun.
