Westward American Single Malt Whiskey

Fruity, sweet vanilla overtones with earthy herbal notes and hints of butterscotch, lemon, and oak
Review by Steve Kirwan, image from Swift Distillery

PRODUCT DETAILS:

• Product Name: Westward American Single Malt Whiskey
• Description: American Single Malt Whiskey
• Price: $79.95 MSRP
• Producer: Westward Whiskey
• Parent Company: Distill Ventures/Diageo
• Additional Information: Westward Whiskey started in 2004 as an outgrowth of the Portland, Oregon brewing culture—a “Grain to Glass” ideology that ensures hands-on management of the whiskeys. Cementing their roles as leaders in the American Single Malt community, distillery founders Thomas Mooney and Christian Krogstad also cofounded the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission, the official industry organization actively pushing for TTB standing for the product category.

REVIEW:

• Impressions:
  Out of the bottle, Westward American Single Malt Whiskey is a clear mid-amber color. Although Westward’s official tasting notes focus on fruity, sweet vanilla aromas, it also exhibits earthy herbal notes and hints of butterscotch, lemon, and a youthful oakiness. As expected for a younger whiskey, the initial palate is slightly hot, but it has unexpected oily fatness and cayenne spice. The flavor starts with notes of herbaceous pine tar and rich earth, leading into fresh apples, orange peel, and hints of bitter cocoa and cinnamon. The finish exhibits more young oak with some brown sugar sweetness and butterscotch, followed by more herbal notes and a long drying finish.
• Overview: Fruity, sweet vanilla overtones backed by earthy herbal notes and hints of butterscotch, lemon, and a youthful oakiness.
• Rating*: 4

*RATING KEY:
Ratings are based on personal opinions! Your tastes/preferences may vary!
Price based on local market price (USD) in Phoenix, AZ

• 5- Superb. Do not miss!
• 4- Highly Recommended
• 3- Recommended
• 2- Drinkable
• 1- Not for me