The Master Blender Behind One of America’s Best Single Malt Distilleries Is Launching His Own Whiskey Brand

(Image: Grimoire Whiskey/Instagram)

The master blender behind many of Westward Whiskey’s most acclaimed releases is striking out on his own.

Miles Munroe, who spent 13 years helping shape Westward Whiskey and the American single malt category, has announced his departure from the Oregon distillery and the launch of his new independent venture, Grimoire Spirits.

Munroe served as Westward’s master blender, overseeing the distillery’s flagship expressions, experimental cask finishes and limited releases, including Milestone and Double Dark. Before entering the whiskey industry, he worked as a musician, bartender and brewer, bringing a brewing-focused perspective to American single malt whiskey.

His departure comes months after Westward emerged from bankruptcy under new ownership. Late last year, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court approved the sale of most of the company’s assets to a group of private investors, allowing the distillery to continue operating under longtime CEO Thomas Mooney.

“Looking back on 13 years with Westward, I’m proud of my accomplishments there,” Munroe said in a news release. “Helping to pioneer a new category of American whiskey meant the world to me, and the innovation I brought to the Whiskey Club there helped push the whiskey category into a new era. It’s time now to begin the next chapter of my career.”

That next chapter is Grimoire Spirits, an independent blending company that will debut with the Grimoire Whiskey Society, a members-only whiskey club featuring small-batch releases and exclusive blends. Munroe said the new venture will give him complete creative freedom to experiment with casks sourced from around the world.

“Grimoire Spirits is a notion that has been slowly forming for quite a while,” Munroe said. “This gives me the chance to blend with complete freedom and to explore an unlimited world of cask combinations uncovered from some of my favorite places.”

While the initial focus will be whiskey, Munroe said Grimoire Spirits eventually plans to expand into other aged spirits, applying his blending philosophy beyond American whiskey.

The announcement marks another notable development for Westward, which has undergone significant changes over the past year. The distillery, widely recognized as one of the pioneers of the American single malt movement, was acquired by private investors after entering bankruptcy proceedings in 2025.

Westward is one of the best single malt distilleries in America. Its “Milestone” releases have been critically acclaimed and received remarkably high scores from reviewers.