Heritage
Act 10, Scene 4 continues the legacy of High West’s most coveted seasonal release—a rye whiskey finished in a blend of Ruby and Tawny port barrels. Built on their Rendezvous Rye base, this edition leans deeper into the port influence than earlier Acts, showcasing a lusher, more fruit-forward character. While each Scene refers to a specific bottling run, the whiskey is blended uniformly beforehand, ensuring flavor consistency across all bottles within the Act.
Tasting Profile & Food Pairings
Tasting Notes
The nose opens with a wave of stewed dark fruits—figs, prunes, and raisins—followed by cinnamon, clove, and a light layer of fresh mint. Hints of caramelized sugar, toasted oak, and a touch of herbal tea give it added depth. On the palate, it unfolds with sweet notes of grape jelly, strawberry-rhubarb tart, molasses, and vanilla cream. The spice is mellow at first but builds with gentle rye heat, balanced by dried herbs and French oak tannins. The finish is medium-long and softly warming, leaving behind impressions of mulled wine, candied orange peel, dried cherry, and subtle black tea. Letting the pour breathe brings more balance between fruit sweetness and spice-driven complexity.
Food Pairings
Ideal pairings include duck breast with cherry reduction, glazed pork tenderloin, or venison with port wine sauce. The richness of aged Gouda, Roquefort, or truffle cheese complements the dram’s fruity and savory balance. For dessert, pair with spiced plum cake, fig-and-walnut tart, or bittersweet chocolate with dried fruits to mirror the dram’s luxurious port finish.
Craftsmanship
High West Distillery, located in Park City, Utah, is known for its innovative blending of sourced and in-house rye whiskies. A Midwinter Night’s Dram is its annual winter release, designed to evoke the magic and warmth of the cold season. Each Act represents a yearly release, with each Scene indicating a separate bottling run. Act 10 reflects a subtle shift in production style, emphasizing the depth and richness of port finishing while maintaining the rye character that defines the series.
