High West Midwinter Nights Dram Act 3

A Midwinter Night's Dram Act 3. High West — the third annual release of the port-finished rye series, Utah straight rye whiskey finished in French oak port wine casks and French Limousin oak, a collector's bottle from the series' foundational era that captures the Midwinter Night's Dram formula hitting its stride.

By Act 3, Midwinter Night's Dram had established itself as one of American craft whiskey's most anticipated annual releases. The port cask finishing framework was consistent: French oak port wine barrels add dark cherry, fig, and chocolate to the rye's inherent pepper and grain spice, while Limousin oak contributes fine-grained tannin and vanilla structure. Act 3 represents an accessible entry point into early Midwinter Night's Dram collecting relative to Acts 1 and 2 — still foundational, still scarce, still exceptional.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Brandied cherries, Calimyrna figs, allspice, grapefruit zest, French oak, vanilla caramel
• Palate: Dark cherry, cocoa, cinnamon, spiced plum, rye spice, port sweetness, dried fruit
• Finish: Warming rye spice, dark cherry, cocoa, lingering port sweetness

Specs

• Distillery: High West Distillery, Park City, Utah
• Style: Straight Rye Whiskey, Port Cask Finished
• Finish: French oak port wine casks + French Limousin oak
• Series: A Midwinter Night's Dram — Act 3
• ABV: 49.3% (98.6 Proof)
• Size: 750ml

Browse the full High West collection at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What port casks finish Midwinter Night's Dram? French oak barrels that previously held port wine — contributing dark cherry, fig, dried plum, and chocolate notes that complement the rye spice and grain character.
• Is Act 3 a good collector's investment? Earlier Acts have appreciated significantly on the secondary market — Act 3 represents a mid-tier entry with strong collector demand relative to supply.
• How should Act 3 be served? Neat at room temperature — the port cask complexity and rye spice are best appreciated without ice dilution.