The collapse of Washington’s Skagit Valley Malting last month left distillers and brewers alike searching for new suppliers of malted barley. The craft maltster had… Read More
The collapse of Washington’s Skagit Valley Malting last month left distillers and brewers alike searching for new suppliers of malted barley. The craft maltster had more than 270 customers when it closed unexpectedly, including Seattle’s Westland and Copperworks distilleries. We’ll talk with Copperworks co-founders Jason Perkins and Jeff Kanof this week on WhiskyCast In-Depth, along with Kate Bernot, who’s been covering the story for Good Beer Hunting. In the news, the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame gets eight new inductees, while Woodford Reserve is teaming up with Kentucky farmers to develop the state as a rye-producing region. We’ll have all the week’s whisky news, tasting notes for whiskies from the U.S., Japan, and India, and much more on this week’s WhiskyCast.
Westland Distillery co-founder Matt Hofmann is leaving the Seattle distillery at the end of the month to pursue new adventures. With no specific plans for… Read More
Westland Distillery co-founder Matt Hofmann is leaving the Seattle distillery at the end of the month to pursue new adventures. With no specific plans for the future, Matt and his successor as production manager, Tyler Pederson, join us on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth to discuss Matt’s move and how the distillery will ensure continuity going forward. We’ll also have tasting notes for Westland’s new Colere American single malt and the new Clermont Steep American single malt from Beam.
In the news, the company administering Scotland’s controversial Deposit Return Scheme is on life support, while The Dalmore is preparing to double production capacity with a new stillhouse. We’ll have the details and much more on this week’s episode of WhiskyCast!
Whiskies are being released at staggering prices with an eye to investors as well as collectors, but what is the market for these rare whiskies? Duncan Taylor & Co. has just released a £75,000 1969 Macallan, and we’ll talk with Peter Currie of Shand Imports about this whisky and its intended market on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. Links: Duncan Taylor & Co. | Hood River Distillers | Buxrud.se | Gordon & MacPhail | The Independent | The Lakes Distillery | Westland Distillery | Indri | Larceny Bourbon
Whiskies are being released at staggering prices with an eye to investors as well as collectors, but what is the market for these rare whiskies? Duncan Taylor & Co. has just released a £75,000 1969 Macallan, and we’ll talk with Peter Currie of Shand Imports about this whisky and its intended market on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth.
Westland American Single Malt is the classic Westland, the one that started it all. Made from their “signature five-malt barley” mash, this whiskey captured my attention the first time I had it. Which, if I remember right, was at the 2017 Whisky Extravaganza in Los Angeles. I snagged a glass of this American Oak Single […]
Westland American Single Malt is the classic Westland, the one that started it all. Made from their “signature five-malt barley” mash, this whiskey captured my attention the first time I had it. Which, if I remember right, was at the 2017 Whisky Extravaganza in Los Angeles. I snagged a glass of this American Oak Single Malt as I passed their table and walked towards the event floor in search of something interesting to drink. I quickly turned around because I’d already found it.
I remember thinking “this is obviously young, but it’s not bad” as I walked back to the table where Matt Hofmann was talking about his whiskey; I was an instant fan. He was engaging, forthright with information and put on zero front. He was just a guy who loved whiskey and was doing his best to put out an honest product. And as a whiskey geek I can’t ask for much more.
Let’s get to drinkin’!
Westland American Single Malt – Details and Tasting Notes
Whiskey Details
Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Style: Single Malt (American) Region: Washington, USA Distiller: Westland
Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley (Washington Select Pale, Munich, Extra Special, Pale Chocolate, Brown) Cask: New Charred Oak Age: 3+ Years ABV: 46%
“In our pursuit of an authentically American single malt whiskey, we bring our signature five-malt barley bill together with new American oak casks—two things practically unheard of in the old world” – Westland
PALATE
Orchard fruity, oaky, baking spice, vanilla, caramel and malty sweet with a nutty banana malted shake.
Velvety warm and fruity with a malty tastiness.
FINISH
Medium -> Oaky, malty and fruity tastiness and caramel banana
BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Decently balanced, medium-full body and a soft easy feel.
Westland American Single Malt – Overall Thoughts and Score
The aroma is dry and fruity with some nice dark notes supporting; the palate follows suite though with a bit more malty sweetness; the finish is a great culmination of the experience. This is a good American single malt.
It’s come a long way from the beginning, as you would hope it would. The first time I tried it (2017) I was intrigued, it was interesting, I was far from enamored, but I tasted promise. However, that night, the distiller, Matt, was more impressive than the whiskey, which was woody, spirity and a tad soapy, but the underlying sweetness was pleasant and I saw the passion he had for his craft.
I remember walking away from his table thinking “give it a few years and this will be some good stuff.” I’m happy to report that past me was right, Westland American Single Malt has turned into a nice whiskey and it continues to get better. Every time I revisit Westland I enjoy it more and more and I’m really excited to see what the future holds for this forward-thinking distillery. These guys keep getting better.
*Disclosure: The bottle for this American Single Malt review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
