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American Oak is Seattle-based distillery Westland’s flagship release. Made with barley from Washington, this is rich and creamy with notes of chocolate custard, almond and bananas.
Seattle distillery Westland uses locally sourced ingredients to create American single malt whiskies that honour the tradition of American whiskey-making with a Pacific North West twist.
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Westland Single Malt Whiskey Review:
The cask strength version of Westland American Oak Single Malt I tried was a very fruity bourbon barrel style whiskey… one that a bourbon-lover should appreciate.
This is a big, well-balanced whiskey with lots of caramel, cocoa and toffee flavor… all of which really come through in the finish.
There is a bourbon-like sweetness here, but it is not burnt and it’s not bitter. It is a fine bourbon-style whiskey that will please bourbon fans and whiskey drinkers alike.
Westland American Oak Single Malt Review:
3.5 / 5.0
Aroma
Oak, cocoa, toffee, caramel, vanilla, bourbon
Body
High-quality, beautifully textured
Finish
Medium-lasting heat
Overall
This is an excellent bourbon-styled whiskey that would be great for mixing or sipping neat. At 50% abv it is still light enough to be enjoyed and enjoyed at reasonable strength.
Westland Single Malt Whiskey Review:
3.5 / 5.0
Taste
Coconut, caramel, toffee, chocolate, vanilla
Finish
Smooth, medium-lasting heat
Overall
This whiskey is creamy, full-bodied and a great bourbon-style whiskey. I would describe it as “bourbony” – although I intend purely in terms of the ABV and not the actual bourbon.
At 50% there is still quite a bit that remains from the spirit and I would place this whiskey into the better part of the single malt world.
It would be absolutely wonderful if you could find it direct.
Westland American Oak Single Malt Review:
4.5 / 5.0
Aside from being a great-sipping bourbon whiskey, I like Westland American Oak Single Malt also because of the story behind it – and this is what drives me into trying out different distilleries.
Westland Single Malt Whiskey Review:
3.5 / 5.0
This whiskey is a pear-based cognac-style cognac-sour, with the pear and cognac flavors combining together to give you an interesting spicy taste… but in an enjoyable way. This is a fun whiskey to sip on at a party.
4.5 / 5.0
This the first rye I’ve tasted from Westland American Oak Single Malt Whiskey, and it’s a good one. The rye opens up and transforms in the mouth, becoming spicy and nutty.
3.5 / 5.0
Westland American Oak Single Malt Whiskey Review:
The nose opens with hints of caramel, cocoa, cola and vanilla. The chocolate note comes in alongside the cola which then heads slowly away to reveal some oak. The whole nose has a very rich and intense quality, and this is matched to a similarly intense and rich mouthfeel.
The taste shares much in common with the nose, with notes of caramel, cola, cocoa and vanilla complementing the fruit flavours of cherry and pear. It’s full-bodied, smooth and gentle.
Westland Single Malt Whiskey Review:
4.5 / 5.0
I love this whiskey! The nose has notes of caramel, toffee, baking chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon and bourbon. It deepens on the finish.
I’m currently enjoying this in a snifter – a glass is highly recommended.
This is a spicy bourbon-style whiskey, which has been aged in American oak barrels for 6-8 years. The nose has notes of vanilla, caramel, toffee, oak and milk chocolate.
The taste is full-bodied and spicy… but not in the manner of something like Peat Monster from Islay – this is a very tame whiskey and one that will not scare off any mild whiskey drinkers.
Westland Single Malt Whiskey Review:
4.5 / 5.0
I would describe the taste as having notes of chocolate and vanilla, but a subtle and layered cedar-like spice in the mix. This cedar note is long-lasting and also has an astringent quality to it, which compliments the vanilla flavors beautifully.
Westland Single Malt Whiskey Review:
I really enjoyed the spicy oak notes, which are detectable in the nose and throughout the entire sip. This whiskey overlooks the delicate vs bold style divide – and this works very well for me.
Westland American Oak Single Malt Whiskey is a great bourbon-style whiskey to go alongside a big beef or pork dinner. To make this a great whiskey for a cocktail, however, I would suggest dumping it out and replacing it with a bourbon to make a tasty cocktail… something like a mint julep.
At 50% abv there is still quite a bit of the spirit left – and if you are a whiskey fanatic this is a great whiskey to have at your side during the winter.
Westland Single Malt Whiskey Review:
This is an outstanding whiskey! I love the nose, which is ethereal and excited. The bourbon quality is very well-integrated and compliments the buttery palate beautifully. The finish is fantastic with great heat that lingers for a long time.
I always loved the fact that the name Westland Single Malt Whiskey references the land which the distillery is located on. The name also names an ocean. These things always make a whiskey taste great.
To be honest, I wasn’t keen on the American oak, which weighs heavily in the whiskey and gives the milk chocolate and caramel notes. The finish is great, though.
