![]() ![]() But if you’re looking for a high-value whiskey, this isn’t it. If you already have an expansive collection and want to add depth, or you’re a diehard fan and have the budget, then go for it. But it’s a splurge, even at MSRP, and top-line secondary prices are just nuts. However, it should have been increasing slowly instead of all at once. The currentIts $150 price tag probably has caught up to where it should be as evidenced by market demand. It’s not an everyday whiskey, but hits the spot for a special occasion. ![]() It’s enjoyable whiskey with a nicely integrated port finish over a rye base, rich flavors, and a proof that strikes a nice balance between those that prefer higher proof whiskeys and those who prefer lower proof ones, reaching a large potential market. This is evident in the marketplace, as finding it at its asking price isn’t easy. As a result, it’s gained momentum over the years, maintaining high demand and a rabid fanbase. It shows up once a year, and some are lucky to see it at MSRP, while others may never see it at all. But A Midwinter Night’s Dram isn’t billed as an everyday pour, it’s billed as a limited release and has always been treated that way. Beam Suntory, Booker’s parent company, must have taken note, and pulled back on their plans to inject such a sudden, sharp increase, instead phasing it in more slowly over several years until they got to its current $100 price point. At the time it was a shock to the bourbon community, and considering Booker’s was a readily available everyday pour for many long time fans of it, we discussed the shocking increase in an opinion piece. The increase is reminiscent of Booker’s sharp $40 increase from $60 to $100 that was announced in 2016, and set to take effect immediately in 2017. But this increase came at once, as High West maintained its price point consistently until this year, which saw a 50% jump from Act 9 in 2021 to Act 10 in 2022. The $50 MSRP increase over eight years isn’t unreasonable per se, especially considering the rise in demand for premium whiskey. Blending multiple ryes from different distilleries combined with port finishing, and finally bottling in an eye-catching bottle and label (as quoted from the label itself, “The front label was totally plagiarized from the first quarto edition of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ printed in 1600.”), allowed the whiskey to easily command its high price tag of about $100 per bottle since its launch a decade ago. This still allows A Midwinter Night’s Dram to stand out in the American whiskey space, even if it’s less unique than it used to be.Ī Midwinter Night’s Dram received quite warm reception when it was first released, and that helped fuel the demand for the brand going forward. Despite these changes, A Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 10 remains a really good representation of rye whiskey finished in port barrels to pleasing results, building off a unique rye blend, and then finishing with a style that is less common for rye than it is for bourbon. Additionally, the base Rendezvous Rye has experienced changes over the years - the sourced Barton component was replaced with High West’s own distillate, and the overall age of the blend came down as compared to earlier releases. Because the nature of finishing is so sensitive, even a single brand may experience wide variation from batch to batch. Even then, a well-integrated flavor profile is more elusive, and varies by release. While the list of options is growing, sometimes a store may have only one option, if any at all. Milam & Greene Rye Port Wine Cask Finish, Sagamore Spirit Rye Port Finish, and WhistlePig Old World Cask Finish (a blend that includes Madeira, Sauternes, and port) are among them. Notably, these are bourbons, but less-known rye base port finished whiskeys do exist. 1792 Port Finished Bourbon, Woodinville Port Finished Bourbon, and Angel’s Envy Bourbon Port Finish are among some of the top-of-mind port finished whiskeys. In 2022, wine finishing is quite common, and using ex-port barrels is as common as any wine finishing styles. In my 2014 review of A Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 2.1, it was clear that finishing rye whiskeys in port barrels was a relatively new concept, even if it was starting to become more prevalent.
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