High West – A Midwinter Night's Dram Act 1 (75cl, 49.3%)

A Midwinter Night's Dram Act 1 is the first release in High West's annual series: a Utah straight rye whiskey finished in French oak port wine casks and French Limousin oak. It is bottled at 49.3% ABV in a 750ml bottle. The port finish was borrowed from Scotch practice and applied to rye, adding dark cherry, fig and dried plum alongside the rye's spice. On the nose there are brandied cherries, Calimyrna figs, allspice, grapefruit zest, French oak and vanilla caramel. The palate has dark cherry, cocoa, cinnamon, spiced plum and rye spice, with port sweetness and dried fruit. The finish is warming rye spice and cherry, with cocoa and a lingering port sweetness.