Westland American Oak
1. What they say
To produce our single malts, we adopt the same basic raw materials and processes used for generations in the old world, but we don’t simply seek to replicate the results. With each expression we endeavor to create something that both honors the traditions of distilling that we admire and adds something worthwhile at the same time. Something new and distinctly American.
For centuries, single malt whiskey has been considered solely the domain of Scotland. Now, Westland is leading the emergence of an entirely new category of single malt whiskey.
Our Pacific Northwest climate is ideally suited for the production of single malt whiskey. Washington contains two of the best barley-growing regions in the world, our remarkable water is sourced from the Cascade Mountains and we’re surrounded by a cultural heritage that encourages questioning of long-standing conventional thinking.
Westland’s signature American Single Malt Whiskey is a culmination of over 10 years pioneering a new category of whiskey that has put America on the global single malt map. This latest expression represents the possibilities to be explored in single malt and captures the essence of our house style in one flagship bottle.
https://www.westlanddistillery.com/westland-asmw
2. Official tasting notes
- Nose Custard filling, marionberry compote, maple brittle, toasted marshmallow.
- Palate Almond nougat, crème brûlée, black tea, white flower petals, malted milk balls.
3. Details
- ABV 46%
- Age 40 Months minimum maturation
- Bottler OB
- Bottling American Oak
- Cask American Oak
- Category American single malt whiskey
- Cost £50
- Origin Westland Distillery
- Region US
- Released 2013
4. What I say
Sampled during the Judgement of Westland experience at the 2021 TWE Whisky Show. A tour through the range of Westland single malt whiskies to determine if Seattle could be the equal of Scotland when it comes to the production of single malt whisky. we started with their American Oak expression part of their Heritage Collection.
5. The Whiskyphiles tasting notes
- Colour Dark bronze gold (12/20), quick, medium tears and legs.
- Nose Sweet, citric and spiced oak, cinnamon and orange, gingerbread, caramel, toasted oak and toasted (or BBQ’d) marshamallow, orchard fruits; apple, pear, cloying sweet and sticky and some drier cereal notes.
- Taste Light-medium bodied, spiced and silky on the palate, more upfront toasted oak, orange zest and oil, ginger root, cinnamon, toasted almonds, honey and apple, chicory coffee.
- Finish Medium-long, spiced, mocha and oak wood.
6. Overall
Oak heavy and perhaps a touch bourbon-esque in terms of wood influence with an added cereal depth from the malt. Ginger and orange predominate, a classic taste combination but with added complexity from both spirit and wood. Yes easily the equal of scotch single malt but with it’s own unique Westland or North-Pacific DNA very present here.
The Whiskyphiles 