High West A Midwinter Night’s Dram: A Cozy Winter Rye Classic Review

🎙️ DadDimes on the Rocks – Season 4 Episode 25: “High West A Midwinter Night’s Dram: A Cozy Winter Rye Classic”🏔️ Backstory & ConceptProducer: High West Distillery (Park City, UT)Type: Rye whiskey blend, finished in ruby and tawny port barrels. Mash Bill: High-rye — mix of 95% rye / 5% barley (from MGP) + High West’s in-house 80% rye / 20% malted rye. Proof: 49.3% ABV (98.6 proof) for many acts. Release Style: Annual seasonal release — each batch is called an “Act.”👃 Tasting NotesNose:Deep and inviting — port barrels bring red berries, dark fruit, while the rye contributes spice, cedar, and baking notes. Palate:A rich balance: you’ll taste berry jam (plum, cherry), fig, blackcurrant, with a peppery rye backbone. There’s also a syrupy sweetness from the port finish and a touch of ginger/orange peel. Finish:Medium to long. Spices linger — ginger, allspice, some oak tannins, and a sweet wine-tinged fade. ✅ Strengths & WeaknessesStrengths:Deeply seasonal feel — perfect for cold nights, holiday gatherings, or fireside sipping.Great complexity from the port barrel finish — fruit-forward, winey, and rich.High rye gives it character and bite, even with the sweetness of port.Very collectible and loved: each “Act” has its own personality.Caveats:Limited release + high demand → can be hard to find and expensive.Proof is moderate; not going to hit like barrel-proof rye.Because the finish leans sweet, it might feel “heavy” for some with oak or sugar fatigue.Batch-to-batch variation: flavor may shift depending on the “Act” and rye sources. 🎯 DadDimes VerdictRating: ⭐ 4.3 / 5Best For:Rye lovers who appreciate bold finishing.Holiday or winter sipping — when you want something festive, rich, and comforting.Whiskey collectors or seasonal drinkers who enjoy annual “Acts” and limited releases.Maybe Skip If:You want a high-proof, punchy rye.You dislike sweet, winey finish or fruit-forward whiskies.You’re not into limited-batch or seasonal expressions.🥂 Final ThoughtsMidwinter Night’s Dram is one of High West’s signature holiday whiskies — it feels like a warm, fruitcake-filled Christmas night in a glass. With each “Act,” it's like getting a new chapter in a story: familiar, but with subtle twists. If you can find an Act that fits your price range… grab it, let it sit for a bit in the glass, and enjoy the winter flavors.That’s today’s pour on DadDimes on the Rocks. Until next time — stay warm, sip slow, and raise a glass to good whiskey and good company. Cheers! 🥃