Probably the most well-known typo in whiskeydom has lastly been corrected. I’m not precisely certain when it occurred, however A Midwinter Nights Dram is now formally A Midwinter Evening’s Dram. Excessive West had its causes for leaving the apostrophe off — one thing about making the entire thing further old-timey and Shakespearean — however now it’s altering its thoughts. The apostrophe is now right here, presumably as a result of the corporate is sick of listening to about it from grammar nerds.
Now in “Act 12,” MWND has a cult following that solely appears to get greater annually, however Excessive West says it has some modifications in retailer for the trustworthy this time round. The “reimagined” whiskey remains to be a mix of each sourced and in-house distillate: a 95% rye, 5% barley malt whiskey from MGP blended with a 80% rye, 20% malted rye whiskey from Excessive West. If that sounds acquainted it’s as a result of it’s the recipe for Excessive West’s Rendezvous Rye, which is the bottom spirit for the expression. After growing old in new charred, white American oak, it’s completed in Port barrels — each Ruby and Tawny varieties. I’m unsure to what diploma that has all modified — however Excessive West has by no means talked about the forms of Port barrels it has used up to now.
As for the expertise, it’s acquainted, although maybe not fairly the previous buddy you may keep in mind. The nostril is straight away fruit-forward, although additionally fairly toasty with oak, every showcased in roughly equal proportions. Oxidized wine notes come throughout as barely Madeirized, with layers of chestnut and walnut oil evident. The palate is peppery and spicy, popping straight away with the essence of the baking cupboard. Port is clearly current, nevertheless it does current as extra of a ruddy Tawny than the extra exuberant Ruby type, that includes the next degree of oxidation and a woodsy, evergreen edge. Notes of menthol and uncooked baking spice notes — suppose cinnamon, not cinnamon sugar — cling to the end. I’d have most popular to see extra sweetness on this Act, however maybe that’s being saved for the subsequent Scene.
98.6 proof.
B+ / $150 / highwest.com [BUY IT NOW FROM CASKERS]
Excessive West A Midwinter Evening’s Dram 12.1
$150
