High West A Midwinter Night's Dram Act 6 (All Scenes)

This bottle (Act 6, Scene 4) came highly recommended, but I’m now halfway through it and it just isn’t working for me. I’m getting a grape juice and pickle juice finish that is killing the enjoyment of the rye spice. To be fair, I generally don’t like finished whiskies...Barrell Dovetail being the rare exception.

Act 6 Scene 5. Bottle has been open for 10 months or so now, about at the halfway mark so I thought I’d finally jot some tasting notes. A deeply red, attractive bronze. Slightly viscous, but not too oily. Bubblegum nose, some dry white grape and pear. Simultaneously rich and crisply mineral. A brief snap of ethanol spice concludes each (and every) nosing. Doesn’t singe or force you away, just makes its presence known. Opens the palate mouth-fillingly sweet, then buttery, then the bubblegum and grape must assert themselves. Tingles build gently on the sides of the tongue and cheeks, then flash through the back of the mouth on the finish. Fresh chilis and lemon Starburst linger on. Some bitter chocolate. Nutmeg. Orange rind. Definitely herbal notes - both floral marjoram and peppery basil come to mind. I really, really like this, even though some parts feel a smidge disjointed. Shares some kinship with Willet rye. The barrel finishing is well-executed and complimentary. Quite complex and hard to decipher everything thats going on. I think the core notes have been consistent throughout the bottle, but otherwise my perceptions have varied widely each time. I honestly wasn’t much of a fan for the first tasting or two. I have grown to enjoy this quite a bit, although I missed the much venerated first few acts and thus don’t know how much better it could be. Thankfully respectable opinions indicate that act 7 may yet be an upgrade, so I’m thankful I have an a7s5 bottle in hand.

Act 6 Scene 6: This is a good pour for sure. Port sweetness with brown sugar come over immediately, smooth. Followed by a spicy rye finish with leather and a bit of spicy mint. Some stone fruit on a long spicy finish, this is a delicious pour.

Act 6 scene 5 A $40 bottle that sells for $150+. Nice to try but wouldn’t put forth the effort or money to track another one down.