Westland Flagship American Single Malt Whiskey is priced at $59.99 and has an ABV of 46%. It is made with a grain bill of Washington Select Pale Malt, Munich Malt, Extra Special Malt, Pale Chocolate Malt, Brown Malt and Bairds Heavily Peated Malt. The whiskey undergoes fermentation for 96 to 144 hours using Belgian Brewer’s Yeast. It is aged for a minimum of 40 months in a combination of Cooper’s Reserve New American Oak, used American Oak, first-fill ex-bourbon and ex-Oloroso hogsheads and butts.
Westland has given me reason to expect big things for the future of American single malt whiskey. If you’re an experienced single malt lover, please realize that Westland isn’t trying to reproduce what you’re accustomed to drinking.
The palate is lush, honeyed, and fruity, with apricot, sliced apples, blackberries, chocolate bar, and hints of wafting cigar smoke. This is light on its feet, yet full-bodied.
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.
The palate has rich sweetness balanced by earthiness and an almost savory quality, with notes of cocoa powder, light maple syrup, black pepper, peat, and tart berries.