Westward American Single Malt Whiskey (750mL)

Westward is an American Single Malt Whiskey from Portland, Oregon. Inspired by the craft brewing traditions of the Pacific Northwest, Westward begins by meticulously brewing the best beer for distillation through milling and cooking local two-row pale barley malt and slow fermenting with American Chico ale yeast. Westward is double pot distilled for exceptional character, and matured in medium char new American oak barrels.

Review by FWL Contributing Editor Caroline Dewar

This little artisan distillery in Portland uses 100% malted barley, rather unusual for a US whiskey and it’s grown in their Pacific Northwest region too. Indeed, their production is further akin to Scotch in that it’s twice distilled in pot stills and they tell us fermentation is with ale yeast, which we’d call brewer’s yeast over here.

Maturation happens over at least two years in lightly charred American oak. It’s not chill filtered prior to bottling and production is in small batches.

Westward Single Malt Tasting Notes:

Aroma: Robust and fruity aroma, with creamy vanilla and brown sugar notes
Taste: Baking spice, lush fruit, and sweet malt
Finish: Tobacco, dark chocolate, and leather with a lingering oak sweetness that gives way to stone fruit

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