High West Launches A Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 13

High West Distillery has unveiled Act 13 of its most coveted annual release, A Midwinter Night’s Dram, bringing Shakespeare-inspired sophistication to whiskey enthusiasts across America. The limited-edition expression launched October 5, 2025, with bottles priced at $149.99.

Limited Whiskey Release Features Port Barrel Finish

The Utah-based distillery’s seasonal offering builds on its flagship Rendezvous Rye, a blend of straight rye whiskeys aged between four and ten years. Act 13 undergoes additional maturation in Ruby and Tawny Port barrels, creating what has become the distillery’s most sought-after expression since the series began.

The whiskey combines two distinct mash bills: a 95% rye, 5% barley malt whiskey from MGP and an 80% rye, 20% malted rye from High West’s own distillery. Bottled at 98.6 proof without chill filtration, the exact ratio remains proprietary.

Official tasting notes describe “marionberry preserves, chocolate-dripped cherries, marbled rye bread, mochaccino cinnamon bark, oolong tea, winter pine, and smoldering Havana cigar” on the palate. The nose reveals crushed blackberries, mandarin zest, and almond shortbread, while the finish offers chai foam and clove-studded orange.

High West Whiskey Distribution

Distribution for the limited release spans nationwide retail locations, albeit in limited quantities. Bottles are also available through High West’s website and at the company’s Saloon and Distillery in Wanship, Utah. The annual release typically sells out quickly, reflecting its status among collectors and drinkers.

High West, founded in 2006, operates Utah’s first legal distillery since 1870. The company gained prominence for its innovative blending techniques and was acquired by Constellation Brands in 2016. A Midwinter Night’s Dram debuted in 2013, drawing its name from Shakespeare’s comedy about transformation and magic.

The release continues High West’s tradition of theatrical naming conventions, with each year’s batch designated as a new “Act.” Previous acts have commanded significant secondary market prices, though availability remains strictly limited despite this.