Westland American Oak American Single Malt Whiskey (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 46%           Age: No Age Statement           Country: America

Located in downtown Seattle the distillery has the perfect single malt making ingredients on its doorstep. It now rivals the spirit being produced in Japan, Taiwan, India, Australia and Scotland. Through hard work the team at the distillery have created their own way of mashing, fermenting, distilling and maturing which leads to a unique product which is one of the finest in the world. Malt barley is used, yeast is used, peat is used and soft fresh water is used in producing the spirit. However this is a new category of single malt whiskey, it’s American.

The facility itself is home to a 5,000 litre mash house that operates full-time, seven days a week, to fill 10,000 liter fermenters. In the still room, the still men perform a traditional double distillation on a 7,560 litre wash still and a 5,670 liter spirit still. Westland then fills into a variety of full-size oak casks including two types of new American oak, ex-bourbon casks and also ex-sherry casks imported fresh and whole from Montilla, Spain. Once filled, all of the distillery’s whiskeys are brought to the coast of Washington State, where the temperate and humid climate of the rainforest offers an ideal environment for the maturation of whiskey.

House style is a sweetness and ease on the palate accompanied by a fruity and complex but ultimately grain-focused finish worthy of its place in this new world.

The Westland endeavour is one that lives up to the heritage of the region and the ambitions of its forefathers. Like them, the whiskey makers at Westland now step confidently in a new direction, free from the confines of convention. While they honour the traditions of single malt whiskey, they also embrace the opportunity to add something new and distinctly American at the same time.

This flagship whiskey is the core expression of this distilleries house style. The distilleries vision and purpose is represented in the spirit created for this single malt. It was to entirely create a new category of whiskey and the whiskey is a testament to that vision. Distilled from the rich, flavourful barley of Washington State and matured predominantly in new American oak casks in the steady, cool humidity of their seaside home. All of these choices and ingredients conspire to create an approachable, mature and uniquely American single malt that can stand with the best whiskies in the world.

Official Tasting Notes

Nose: Lemon and orange custard backed by freshly produced waffle cone. Shortly after, a rich creaminess emerges with creme brûlée and chocolate custard while a hint of jasmine hides just beneath the surface.

Taste: Creamy and rich fruit custard notes of the nose, adding an element of rainier cherries. After five minutes, melting Swiss chocolate is revealed with a hint of almond. Extended tastings brings out bananas and cream with Turkish coffee.

Awards

Chairman’s Trophy/96 Points, 2016 Ultimate Spirits Challenge
95 Points, 2015 Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible
Gold Medal, 2015 American Distilling Institute
Double Gold Medal, 2014 SF World Spirits Competition
Gold Medal/93 Points, 2015 Beverage Tasting Institute
Gold Medal, 2014 NY International Spirits Competition
Gold Medal, 2014 Berlin International Spirits Competition
Gold Medal, 2014 SIP Awards
93 Points, Tasting Panel Magazine
93 Points, Wine Enthusiast