High West Distillery - MidWinter Nights Dram - Act 8 (Review) $100 (msrp)

So High West Distillery recently released Act 8 of their limited release MidWinter Nights Dram Rye Whiskey.

High West Distillery which is based in Park City, Utah (home of some world class skiing) is a craft distillery that sources some / much their whiskey from MGP.

For those of you that are not aware MGP (per WikiPedia)

"MGP of Indiana is a distillery in Lawrenceburg  Indiana producing sprits for private label sale. These are sold under about 50 different brand names by various bottling companies, with a recent addition of their own products"

(There are other MGP brands of a pork and barrel variety I will be reviewing soon as they make a very tasty juice).

MidWinter Nights Dram is a non-age stated rye blend, an interesting fact is that the ACT is this years release (e.g. Act 8 = 2020, Act 7 = 2019, Act 6 = 2018 etc..) there is also a scene on the label the bottle I picked up was scene 4, it is my understanding that High West still does much of it's bottling by hand and each scene is a "bottle run" for that years release.

The mash bill according to High West is a blend of two straight rye whiskey the first from MGP 95% rye, 5% barley malt, and the second from HWD's own stills 80% rye, 20% malted rye. The blend is aged in both new charred white American oak and then finished in French oak port barrels. 

So the MSRP $100 and around Denver I've seen the prices range from $90-$160. I was lucky enough to get mine for $101 out the door with tax. 

So what does it taste like? Well as part of an experience I paired this with an older bottle of Act 6 that I had at the house. Just to do a side by side comparison. I didn't have an Act 7 simply because it was consumed. 

Act 8 has a noticeable spice note on the nose to be expected since its bottled at 98.6 proof. However, the first taste you get a very balanced mouth feel with a boat load of baking spice and fruit, think fig jam or dried crasins. The finish is long and enjoyable and after the second taste the spice / heat for being nearly 100 proof is not bad at all.

Act 6 is very similar on the nose but there is a very distinct black pepper smell that comes through. Again the mouth feel is very similar but the baking / cooking spice is MUCH more pronounced with less of the figgy jam flavor coming through. The finish is also not as long as Act 8 but still very enjoyable. 

Overall, is it worth the money? Yes and No. The hype has pushed the price up, so I wouldn't pay much above MSRP. However, if you come across a bottle and enjoy rye pick up and see for yourself. However, MGP does have a number of other piggies that for the price are more enjoyable.