Westland Distillery launched their flagship American Single Malt Whiskey in 2014. We liked it very much. And now, Westland is introducing two more expressions–Westland Peated American Single Malt and Westland Sherry Wood Single Malt.
Westland Peated American Single Malt Whiskey
This expression is a blend of two new-make spirits that are joined together after maturation. The first spirit is made from a mash of very smoky peated malt, while the second is made from a mash of 100% locally-grown pale malt. It’s matured in a variety of oak, including ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. The malts and the different oaks creates a whiskey with a wide spectrum of peaty and smoky flavors, but it doesn’t overwhelm the palate. And now some eloquent tasting notes, per the company —
Tasting Notes: The nose starts off with crunchy peanut butter, smoldering campfire and honey on a biscuit. The smoke from the campfire leaps out on the initial palate along with pistachio, almond and oloroso sherry. With time, the campfire transitions into smoldering earth and leather on the nose. Over the course of the tasting, the palate moves into dark, earthy herbs and spices. Peat iodine, anise, bing cherry and peanut butter remain on the finish.
Westland Sherry Wood American Single Malt Whiskey
The Westland Sherry Wood expression (pictured) is matured in casks that formerly held Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry–casks that imparts the whiskey with a richness that intensifies the malt and fruit notes found in Westland’s house style. It tastes like this:
Tasting Notes: Soft pancakes with maple syrup leads on the nose, closely followed by oatmeal raisin cookies and a selection of stewed yellow and green fruits. The palate adds some grapefruit to the pancake breakfast while the oatmeal raisin cookies begin to share the plate with some gingersnap cookies. With time in the glass, dried mango and star fruit emerge with a touch of kiwi to round things off.
Westland is distributed by Anchor Distilling Company. Both whiskeys clock in at 46% ABV and carry a suggested retail price of $69.99.
