Westland Garryana 2019 Edition 4/1 American Single Malt Whiskey (700ml)
Volume: 700ml ABV: 50% Age: No Age Statement Country:America
Located in downtown Seattle the distillery has the perfect single malt making ingredients on its doorstep. It now rivals the spirit being produced in Japan, Taiwan, India, Australia and Scotland. Through hard work the team at the distillery have created their own way of mashing, fermenting, distilling and maturing which leads to a unique product which is one of the finest in the world. Malt barley is used, yeast is used, peat is used and soft fresh water is used in producing the spirit. However this is a new category of single malt whiskey, it’s American.
The facility itself is home to a 5,000 litre mash house that operates full-time, seven days a week, to fill 10,000 liter fermenters. In the still room, the still men perform a traditional double distillation on a 7,560 litre wash still and a 5,670 liter spirit still. Westland then fills into a variety of full-size oak casks including two types of new American oak, ex-bourbon casks and also ex-sherry casks imported fresh and whole from Montilla, Spain. Once filled, all of the distillery’s whiskeys are brought to the coast of Washington State, where the temperate and humid climate of the rainforest offers an ideal environment for the maturation of whiskey.
House style is a sweetness and ease on the palate accompanied by a fruity and complex but ultimately grain-focused finish worthy of its place in this new world.
The Westland endeavour is one that lives up to the heritage of the region and the ambitions of its forefathers. Like them, the whiskey makers at Westland now step confidently in a new direction, free from the confines of convention. While they honour the traditions of single malt whiskey, they also embrace the opportunity to add something new and distinctly American at the same time.
Have you ever had a Garry Oak matured whisky?
A clearer picture of Garry oak is beginning to take shape. Westland have begun to answer a number of questions already with their early releases. Will Garry oak play well with virgin American oak casks of the new world and the smoky peated malt of the old? Can it take on a supporting, complementary role in a more delicate, nuanced whiskey without overpowering it? How does its influence change when used as a finishing cask?
Usually Westland take ex-American Oak barrels and marry these with the Gary Oak but not this time. This time they wanted to take it a little further and match two of the deepest flavours in whisky, Sherry and Garry Oak.
The maturation was broken down as such Ex-Rye (29%), Ex-Bourbon (29%), Garry Oak (19%), PX Hogshead (16%), Refill Garry Oak (7%)
Released on September 7th 2019 with only 3,750 bottles available for the entire world of whisky.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Custard, blackberry syrup, dulce de leche, slightly savoury.
Palate: Dried blueberries, fudgesicle, fresh oak, grilled plum.
