What is A Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 13?

A Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 13 is the 2025 release of High West’s limited edition rye whiskey, finished in ruby and tawny port barrels. It blends straight rye whiskeys and is bottled at 49.3% ABV (98.6 proof), continuing the series’ tradition of rich, spiced winter flavor.

What are the tasting notes for Act 13?

The nose features dark fig, black cherry, candied ginger, and forest floor. The palate brings dried fruit, orange peel, baking spice, and a hint of French oak. The finish is medium length with lingering clove and port sweetness.

How is this different from past releases?

Act 13 maintains the blend of rye whiskeys finished in port barrels, but each act offers slight variations in barrel character and blending ratios, making every vintage unique. Act 13 is described as more balanced with enhanced spice and richness.

What is the proof and price of Act 13?

High West’s A Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 13 is bottled at 98.6 proof (49.3% ABV) and retails for around $149.99 USD, depending on location and availability.

Where can you buy A Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 13?

You can find Act 13 at select retailers, specialty liquor stores, and online through High West’s limited release platform. Due to its popularity, availability may be limited.

Is A Midwinter Night’s Dram worth it?

For fans of port-finished rye and seasonal whiskey releases, A Midwinter Night’s Dram is highly regarded for its flavor complexity and limited availability. It’s a standout bottle for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

2 min read

Woodford Reserve Core Four: Differences Between Each Whiskey Explained

Whiskey Social : Dec 5, 2025 11:32:40 AM

American Whiskey Kentucky Bourbon Rye Whiskey Wheat Whiskey

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Woodford Reserve’s four core expressions each deliver a distinct flavor profile and production style, offering something for every palate. This guide breaks down their key differences so you can choose the perfect bottle.

Woodford Reserve is known for crafting some of the most balanced, approachable, and well-structured whiskeys on the market. But if you’re new to the brand, or even if you’ve enjoyed their bottles for years, the differences between their core four expressions aren’t always obvious at first glance.

This guide breaks down what sets each one apart: mash bill, flavor profile, proof, and what makes each expression worth reaching for.

Kentucky Bourbon

1. Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon

The flagship. The foundation. The classic.

This is the bottle most drinkers know first — a well-balanced, easy-drinking Kentucky bourbon built on a sweeter, fruit-forward profile.

Key Details

Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Proof: 90.4
Mash Bill: Corn-forward with rye and malted barley
Flavor Notes: Dried fruit, vanilla, caramel, baking spice, and a hint of citrus
Why It’s Unique: Woodford’s triple-distillation and copper pot still influence give this bourbon a softer, rounded profile compared to many competitors.

Best For: Old Fashioneds, sipping neat, highballs, and introducing friends to bourbon.

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Double Baked

2. Woodford Reserve Double Oaked

Richer. Deeper. Dessert in a glass.

Double Oaked takes the original bourbon and finishes it in a second, heavily toasted and lightly charred barrel, transforming the flavor into something darker and richer.

Key Details

Type: Double-barrel finished bourbon
Proof: 90.4
Process: Finished in a new barrel that has been deeply toasted and lightly charred
Flavor Notes: Chocolate, toasted marshmallow, baking spice, caramelized sugar
Why It’s Unique: That second barrel creates intense sweetness and dessert-like flavors, making Double Oaked one of the most recognizable bottles in Woodford’s lineup.

Best For: Dessert pairings, sipping neat, old fashioneds with a heavier oak profile.

Rye

3. Woodford Reserve Rye

Spice-forward with Woodford’s signature smoothness.

Woodford’s rye isn’t the overly aggressive, pepper-packed rye whiskey that many drinkers expect. Instead, it carries Woodford’s signature balance with a softer, rounded spice profile.

Key Details

Type: Kentucky Straight Rye
Proof: 90.4
Mash Bill: 53% rye (lower than many classic ryes)
Flavor Notes: Baking spice, dried fruit, mint, honey, toasted oak
Why It’s Unique: The lower-rye mash delivers a more approachable entry point into rye whiskey — ideal for bourbon drinkers who want to explore rye without jumping into the deep end.

Best For: Manhattans, Sazeracs, highball variations, sipping for bourbon-leaning rye fans.

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More rye whiskey: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Rye: Kentucky Rye, Uncut and Unfiltered

Wheat Whiskey

4. Woodford Reserve Wheat Whiskey

Soft, gentle, rounded. A completely different side of Woodford.

Wheat whiskey showcases what happens when wheat becomes the star grain. The result is a softer, silkier whiskey with subtle, elegant sweetness.

Key Details

Type: Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey
Proof: 90.4
Mash Bill: Wheat-dominant
Flavor Notes: Honey, apple, vanilla, light oak, floral notes
Why It’s Unique: This is Woodford’s most delicate expression — perfect for drinkers who prefer smooth, lightly sweet whiskey without heavy spice or oak.

Best For: Summer sipping, lighter cocktails, whiskey drinkers who prefer a gentle profile.

How to Choose the Right Woodford Expression

If you’re deciding which bottle fits your taste, here’s the quick breakdown:

Expression	Profile	Best For
Kentucky Straight Bourbon	Balanced, fruit-forward, classic	Everyday sipping, Old Fashioneds
Double Oaked	Rich, sweet, dessert-forward	Neat, decadent cocktails
Rye	Smooth spice, baking-spice driven	Manhattans, Sazeracs
Wheat Whiskey	Soft, delicate, lightly sweet	Warm-weather sipping, light cocktails

Discover Woodford Reserve Inside the Whiskey Social App

Exploring the differences between Woodford’s core four is just the beginning. Inside the Whiskey Social App, you can dive even deeper: track your tastings, explore user reviews, compare bottles side-by-side, and see how each expression ranks within the community.

More learning. More sharing. More great whiskey. All in one place.

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