Review by: The Auditor
Review #1146; American Single Malt #33
This is a bottling of a single cask of American Single Malt from Westland, a producer based in Washington State. Their five malt barley was distilled and put into a Coopers Reserve (18 month air dried staves) new charred oak cask from 11/15/2013 to 7/27/2017. It was then put into an ex-Moscatel wine cask where it aged until April of 2022. It was then bottled at cask strength with no additives for the r/bourbon single barrel program on reddit.
Distillery: Westland
Bottler: Westland
Region: Washington
Still: Column still
Cask: 4 Years New American Oak, Finished in Moscatel Wine Cask.
ABV: 52.6%
Nose: Fruity, Raspberry, Currants, hay, Apple, Vanilla Bean, Cooked Puff Pastry Crust, Browned Butter
Palate: Medium oily mouthfeel, Raspberry, Currants, Red Apple Pie, Browned Butter, Vanilla Whipped Cream
Finish: Medium length finish. Raspberry, Currants, Red Apple Pie, Browned Butter, Vanilla
Conclusion: This is very good. This is a dessert type whisky with this finish being as heavy as it is, but that is a profile I could see myself reaching for when in the right mood. Big bold fruits, a bit of spice, and some overt sweet notes play well with the base malt. The oak influence is well balanced, overall a very good whisky. For me, however, there have been better Westland releases.
Final Score: 85
Scoring Legend:
- 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
- 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
- 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
- 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
- 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
- 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
- 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
- 50-59: Save it for mixing.
- 0-49: Blech.
Malt Runners 