First Impressions
Westland's flagship is a defiantly American single malt — built on a five-malt grain bill including pale, Munich, extra special, brown and chocolate malts, then matured in new American oak.
Distillery & Heritage
Founded in 2010 in Seattle's SoDo district by Emerson Lamb and Matt Hofmann, Westland set out to define a Pacific Northwest style of single malt whiskey. Hofmann was instrumental in drafting the formal American Single Malt category standards. Westland was acquired by Rémy Cointreau in 2016 but retains its founding philosophy of provenance, malt complexity and oak experimentation.
Tasting Notes in Detail
The nose is unmistakably Westland: milk chocolate and roasted almond from those darker malts, dried cherry and a soft layer of vanilla from new oak. The palate doubles down on cocoa and caramel with baked apple, hazelnut and toasted wood. The finish is long and chocolatey with a flash of espresso.
Verdict
The most articulate statement of what American single malt can be — rich, malt-forward and entirely its own thing. Essential drinking for anyone tracking the category.
