High West Distillery tells BourbonBlog.com that its highly anticipated annual whiskey release, A Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 14, is returning for fall 2026 with an expanded finishing program celebrating the Utah distillery’s 20th anniversary.
This year’s release builds upon the whiskey’s familiar Ruby and Tawny Port cask finishing by incorporating three additional Sherry cask types: Amontillado, Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez (PX).
The result is one of the most ambitious versions of A Midwinter Night’s Dram to date, with a suggested retail price of $124.99 and limited nationwide availability beginning October 5, 2026.
We’re also sharing a few photos from High West’s 20th-anniversary celebration and A Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 14 launch event, capturing the atmosphere surrounding this year’s release.
High West Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 14: Price, Proof and Release Details
- Release: A Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 14
- Distillery: High West Distillery, Utah
- Whiskey: Blend of straight rye whiskeys aged 4-10 years
- Proof: 98.6 (49.3% ABV)
- Finishing: Ruby Port, Tawny Port, Amontillado Sherry, Oloroso Sherry and PX Sherry casks
- Filtration: Non-chill filtered
- Suggested retail price: $124.99
- Availability: Limited nationwide release beginning October 5, 2026
The release coincides with the distillery’s 20th anniversary, adding another chapter to one of American rye whiskey’s most closely followed seasonal traditions.
What Makes High West’s Act 14 Different?
Since its debut in 2013, A Midwinter Night’s Dram has become known for its Port-finished rye whiskey. While High West has previously experimented with special editions, including 2022’s White Port-finished The Encore, Act 14 marks a new direction for the nationwide release.
For the first time, Amontillado, Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks join the traditional Ruby and Tawny Port finishing program. And despite the expanded cask selection, the suggested retail price drops from $149.99 for Act 13 to $124.99 for Act 14.
The BourbonBlog Question: Is High West Changing a Classic for the Better?
High West is adding three Sherry cask finishes to its beloved Midwinter rye—and lowering the price. Does that make Act 14 a must-try, or would you rather High West stick with its traditional Port-finished style?
Tell us what you think in the comments below!
Five Cask Finishes and Three Rye Mash Bills
The whiskey begins with High West Rendezvous Rye, a blend incorporating straight rye whiskeys ranging from four to ten years old.
The component mash bills identified by High West are:
- MGP: 95% rye and 5% malted barley
- High West Distillery: 80% rye and 20% malted rye
- BBC: 64% rye, 30% corn and 6% malted barley
Ruby and Tawny Port casks remain part of the finishing program, now complemented by Amontillado, Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks.
The whiskey is bottled without chill filtration, a production choice intended to preserve its texture and character.
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High West Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 14 Tasting Notes
High West describes this year’s expression as a rich and layered whiskey, combining the fruit-forward character associated with previous releases with additional depth from the expanded cask program.
Official Tasting Profile
Aroma: Wild strawberry, blackberry preserves and fig.
Palate: Blood orange, cherry fruit leather, cinnamon-dusted plum crumble and apricot scone.
Finish: Jam thumbprint cookies and spiced chai.
The whiskey carries an interesting detail: its 98.6 proof matches the number commonly associated with normal human body temperature, reinforcing the winter warmth theme.
High West recommends enjoying Act 14 neat.
A Midwinter Night’s Dram has long appealed to enthusiasts interested in the intersection of rye whiskey and wine-cask maturation. With five finishing cask types now involved, Act 14 may offer an especially interesting comparison with previous acts.
Photos courtesy of High West. Photography credit: @dancampbellphoto.
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