Review by: Whiskery Turnip

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Distillery: Westland.

Bottler: Distillery.

Region: United States/Washington Single Malt.

ABV: 50%.

Age: 5 Years. Bottled in 2020.

Cask type: American Oak, Bourbon, Oloroso Sherry.

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Nose: Herbal and sweet with wispy smoke in the background; spruce tip tea, pine cones, tangerines, and honey combined with earthy oak moss and hints of menthol; wispy smoke and charred wood lingered in the background.

Palate: Medium-bodied, wood smoke arrived with an herbal spice, honeycomb, and mellow earthiness; misty horizons of pine and spruce played out with moss-studded stone paths and hints of earthy decay and mushroom; honey and slightly tart fruits arrived with time to rest as tangerine and persimmon popped in to say hello.

Finish: Medium-length with citrus, herbs, and a kiss of smoke.

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Mental Image: Pacific Northwest Hiking Trip.

Conclusion: A dram with a sense of place— I love it when a whisky feels infused with a sense of place, be it smells, tastes, or just vibes. I do not get that a lot with Scotch— likely because I have yet actually to make it to Scotland; thanks, Covid! Hopefully, I can remedy that this year.  But as I have never been, I lack any sense of innate feeling to know when the whisky feels infused with place.  I have gotten that on Amrut and a few other American Single Malts before, and it’s always a peculiar sensation. I doubt I would pick it up if I were tasting the whisky blindly, as I imagine it arises from memories of that place already sitting in the fore of my mind as I subconsciously recall being in the place.

Overall, I enjoyed this product— it was well put together and balanced with a generally harmonious and savory set of flavors.  Everything became a bit fruitier with time to rest or a few drops of water, though it was fine to sip on at bottling strength.

Final Score: 78.

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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.