A Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 4. High West — the fourth 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 expression from the series’ formative years now available only through allocated secondary market channels.
Act 4 arrived as Midwinter Night’s Dram had fully cemented its status as one of the American whiskey calendar’s most anticipated annual events. The core formula remained consistent: High West’s straight rye base — a blend of ryes of varying ages — finished in French oak port barrels that add dark cherry, cocoa, and holiday warmth on top of a rye base that contributes pepper, grain, and structure beneath the port sweetness. Year-to-year variation in blend composition and port barrel selection gives Act 4 its own expression within the series canon.
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 4
ABV: 49.3% (98.6 Proof)
Size: 750ml
Browse the full High West collection at Wooden Cork.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes each Act of Midwinter Night’s Dram different? Blend ratios, rye age statements, and specific port barrel selection vary year to year — creating subtle but meaningful differences between Acts that make collecting the full series worthwhile.
Is Act 4 worth buying at secondary market prices? For collectors completing the series, yes — Act 4 fills a formative chapter in the archive at a more accessible price than Acts 1–3.
What food pairs well with Midwinter Night’s Dram? Dark chocolate, dried fruit, aged cheese, and pecan pie — the port sweetness and rye spice complement rich, warm-spiced foods naturally.
