As you drink this, there is a new category of whiskey being created in the United States, the first addition to our alcohol laws in over 30 years! American Single Malt Whiskey has been on the rise for quite some time, and it will finally have its own designation, alongside things such as Bourbon and Rye Whiskey.

However, Westward Whiskey has been making their version of American Single Malt Whiskey for almost 20 years! Based in Portland, OR, they approach whiskey from a brewer’s perspective, working to front-load their flavor in the distillate itself, letting the raw ingredients shine through. To make their whiskey, they brew it like a pale ale (using brewer’s yeast and brewer’s pale malt from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.), distill it like a scotch (using a pot still set-up), and age it like a bourbon (using new, charred-oak casks), crafting a spirit tailor-made for the American palate.

Their Pinot Noir Cask finished product is a wonderful example of the heights their whiskey can rise to. Their robust, rich, heavy-bodied whiskey interacts so well with the lighter Pinot Noir to produce a wonderfully balanced and fruity dram. Those from Oregon consider Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs on par with Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons or French Bordeauxs, and Westward demonstrates their pride in their region with this choice of a finishing cask! We are proud to bring you this “Single Malt Reimagined”.

This Bottle stems from our September 2022 Blind Tasting Subscription Box.

Distillery: Westward Whiskey

Name: American Single Malt Pinot Noir Cask

Proof: 90 Proof (45% ABV)

Age Statement: No age statement, After aging, whiskey is finished in a Pinot Noir cask for an additional 2 years

Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley

Color/Appearance: Rose gold