High West Midwinter Night's Dram

[Bbstout]

Before this post gets moved to Rye I'm hoping it will stay here for more eyes. For those of you that have had the older MWND with mixed 16 year old barton and 6 year old MGP compared to the newer bottles that contains a mix of HW distillate, what are your thoughts?

[0895]

20 minutes ago, Bbstout said:

 what are your thoughts?

 

I'm not buying it any more new batches of MWND unless I see some significant improvements in the coming years.  

I ended up mixing the last half of my Act 6 into manhattans.

 

Here's something to keep in mind.  Why is nobody talking about High West's own house distilled aged rye?   Must not be worth mentioning... or releasing on its own.

[Bbstout]

24 minutes ago, 0895 said:

 

I'm not buying it any more new batches of MWND unless I see some significant improvements in the coming years.  

I ended up mixing the last half of my Act 6 into manhattans.

 

Here's something to keep in mind.  Why is nobody talking about High West's own house distilled aged rye?   Must not be worth mentioning... or releasing on its own.

Good point about their rye. I'm surprised there wasn't much attention Paid when they switched all their labels around 2015. My favorite was DR. Went from a mix of 2 year MGP and 16 year Barton Rye to a mix of 2 year MGP/HW.

[AndyD]

Maybe I’m in the minority , but I’ve had act 3 and up and I think they’ve done a good job weening off of older mgp/Barton rye stocks into house distilled and younger stocks.  The move is necessary as older stocks are drying up and the price for sources barrels increases.  

 

I do *not* like the price for it though, but took a chance on act 7.  While it’s the weaker than other releases, I still think it’s good on its own and also makes phenomenal OF and Manhattans.  Still one of my favorites in the winter.

[clearmoon247]

To add to all of these points, I have had act 3, 5, 6, and 7. Act 3 was more port forward and 6 & 7 are more balanced ryes with the port costarring.

 

Overall, they have done a great job with consistency over the past few years 

[BottledInBond]

I haven’t tried the MWND recently but I will say that I don’t really like the DR currently. It tastes so young and rough to me that it is only usable mixed in a cocktail

 

HW seems to have the same problem as Smooth Ambler. Both darlings a few years ago and I admired that both we’re pretty transparent about their NDP stuff, etc. But their was always going to be a plan with both to do the transition to lore and more of their own juice over time. I don’t think either of them has maintained their previous quality levels and o am highly suspect of their house-distilled juice. They could both be in big trouble once people start to realize that the Emperors have no more clothes. 
 

Willett still seems to be the exception. At one point I considered them in similar company with HW/SA for some (but not all of course) reasons. However, even if we don’t like the pricing, it seems like the stuff Willett has distilled themselves can stand on its own as very good whiskey. I can’t say the same about HW/SA with any confidence right now until proven otherwise 

[clearmoon247]

If you want a really cheap alternative to MWND that is a sleeper when you can find it, check out Redwood Empire Emerald Giant. It is a 95/5 Rye that is 3 years old and finished in port barrels. It hits a lot of the MWND flavor profile, but with a slightly less depth of flavor. This has an MSRP of ~$34.99, which is more than acceptable IMO for what you are getting.

[BigPapa]

 
I'm not buying it any more new batches of MWND unless I see some significant improvements in the coming years.  
I ended up mixing the last half of my Act 6 into manhattans.
 
Here's something to keep in mind.  Why is nobody talking about High West's own house distilled aged rye?   Must not be worth mentioning... or releasing on its own.

I agree with you on the newer batches. Not as good

[Bbstout]

10 hours ago, BottledInBond said:

I haven’t tried the MWND recently but I will say that I don’t really like the DR currently. It tastes so young and rough to me that it is only usable mixed in a cocktail

 

HW seems to have the same problem as Smooth Ambler. Both darlings a few years ago and I admired that both we’re pretty transparent about their NDP stuff, etc. But their was always going to be a plan with both to do the transition to lore and more of their own juice over time. I don’t think either of them has maintained their previous quality levels and o am highly suspect of their house-distilled juice. They could both be in big trouble once people start to realize that the Emperors have no more clothes. 
 

Willett still seems to be the exception. At one point I considered them in similar company with HW/SA for some (but not all of course) reasons. However, even if we don’t like the pricing, it seems like the stuff Willett has distilled themselves can stand on its own as very good whiskey. I can’t say the same about HW/SA with any confidence right now until proven otherwise 

You read my mind. The new DR isn't close to pre 2014 DR. This holds true for RR too. I get sad whenever I open anything 2015 or older or I should say sad when I throw it away..

[Bbstout]

Doing a little investigation tonight. The base for MWND is RR. I checked my bottles tonight. The labels changed 2016. See front and back. I'm guessing the 16 yr Barton was dialed back. Look at the color difference. Unfortunately you can't search for information on the batches on their website as stated on the bottles label (looks to be a loss of transparency after the selloff) I opened the new label 2016.  I'll post my thoughts.

[Bbstout]

Solid pour like I remember. I'm guessing this was still 16 yr Barton and 6 yr MGP. Too bad HW won't let me search for information.

[0895]

2 minutes ago, Bbstout said:

Solid pour like I remember. I'm guessing this was still 16 yr Barton and 6 yr MGP. Too bad HW won't let me search for information.

The 16XXX batches were starting the change, but still very good.

 

Ive been like a damn squirrel the last few years, putting older batches of this away.

[Bbstout]

I hear you. The last bottles I found were 2 years ago...2015 RR on clearance for $40.

[0895]

They’re still out there.

Just got several 2013’s over Thanksgiving.

 

You may have to pony up a bit cash wise though, as they are usually sitting there for a reason.

Edited January 8, 2020 by 0895

[flahute]

High West is dead to me until they prove that their own distillate is actually going to taste good.

[Josh]

High West is dead to me until they prove that their own distillate is actually going to taste good.

They're just dead to me period.

[BigRich]

They're just dead to me period.

I to say it but yeah, kind of the same here. Post Perkins High West holds no interest for me now.

[Clueby]

I bought this year's due to FOMO. I did a sbs between Act 7 and an Act 3 and the Act 3 blew it away. Wasn't even close.

[flahute]

4 hours ago, Josh said:

18 hours ago, flahute said:

High West is dead to me until they prove that their own distillate is actually going to taste good.

They're just dead to me period.

I won't try to talk you out of that position.

[PhantomLamb]

Amen to that.  Still some of the worst bourbon I have ever tasted.

[JoeTerp]

That 15 vs 16 pic made me dig into the bunker and do a little comparison.  In July 2018 I came across a store that had 2013 and 2015 RR's so I decided to get a few.  These pictured are 13I25 (September 2013), 15F16 (June 2015), and the open is a 16K29 (November 2016 and was acquired before the others).  So to be fair to the 2016, it's color isn't really that noticeably different than the 2013.  The 2015 bottle is just dark AF for a 92 proof.