Few distilleries can say they lived and breathed American single malt from their inception. For twenty years, Westward has been pulling together brewers, winemakers, and Michelin-trained chefs with decades of collective distilling experience. Their knowledge culminates in Portland, Oregon, inside a custom low-reflux pot still designed to create a robust spirit. Whiskey nerds will be pleased to hear they brew low and slow before distillation and age their spirit like a bourbon in new, heavily toasted and lightly charred American oak barrels before blending to perfection.
With Westward Whiskey Bottled-in-Bond, nature meets nurture to elevate American whiskey. For over a century, this distinguished designation has held American-made whiskey's quality, integrity, and skillful crafting to the highest standard. Made by one distiller in one season, aged at least four years in one bonded facility, and standing tall at 100 proof, bottled-in-bond is a badge of quality and prestige. Our Bottled-In-Bond goes beyond these rigorous requirements, proving why Oregon’s unique climate, resources, and artisans are leaders in the world of whiskey.
My last review of Westward was their Vintner's Cuvée release, which produced notes of coffee bean, campfire ash, and crisp American lager beer. I'm hoping the bottled-in-bond expression here is slightly more impressionable, though I found the wine finishing there to be quite fun over time. As with all my whiskey reviews, this bottle was sampled a minimum of three times and tasted neat out of a well-rested glencairn in accordance with my editorial policy. I'd like to thank Westward for providing this bottle for review with no strings attached. Let's dive in and see what bottled-in-bond is all about.
Company on Label: Westward Whiskey
Whiskey Type: American single malt whiskey
Mash Bill Percentages: 100% malted barley
Proof: 100°
Age: Minimum 4 years, but Westward went above and beyond, bottling this expression at 7 years old
Further identification: This is a 2024 release for members of the Westward Whiskey Club, available directly from the distillery at an MSRP of $99.95
Nose: On lifting the glass to my nose, oodles of red fruit lead the way: strawberry, plum, blood orange, and pomegranate aromas are dominant in the nose. A kiss of grenadine can be found on a deeper whiff. There is a solid backbone of milk chocolate, light oak, and pie crust that is quite easy in the nostrils, which I like here. The pomegranate and grenadine bits part after a few inhales, revealing limoncello and fresh pine boughs. I'm digging this a lot. The balanced boldness of the glass urges me towards a sip.
Coming back from a sip, I find resinous cedar, rose water, and dragonfruit sitting comfortably in my glencairn. There's a vague red banana undertone I am really intrigued by. Late in the glass, some bourbon notes can be found as caramel and cinnamon undertones leave me with a sense of comfort. The empty glass smells of cinnamon pancakes, movie theater popcorn, and silky cherry cobbler.
Palate: At first taste, a tingly wave crashes over the tongue in resinous beauty. Slightly smoky pine boughs, dark plum, raisin, and grenadine are impressionable, eyebrow-raising, and thoroughly enjoyable. This is far more balanced and refined than previous releases I've tried from Westward, and I'm here for it. Another quick sip reveals cacao powder, Dunkin' cold brew, and macerated red grapes. The linger is cool, tingly, and generously fruity. This is American single malt reimagined. Sipping near the bottom of the glass reveals a whiskey still chock full of thick red fruit tones that the nose led with. This is cohesive, oily, and lovely sipping whiskey. Finishing my pour, I find a touch of pear, the subtle return of plum, strawberry, and grenadine as the glass comes full circle. The finish is long, low, and slow: think oozing, warm strawberry rhubarb pie and a final chef's kiss of clove and black pepper.
TL;DR: Perfectly balanced & bold American single malt with oodles of red berry tones
Rating: 4.5/5
Well dang, Westward. You've really outdone yourself here. With perfect balance yet big, bold, and beautiful flavors, this is a true rarity in today's whiskey scene. This is clearly the direction I want American single malt to go and I couldn't be happier to have a bottle of this to sip through this fall.
Dunks cold brew?!?!! Sold!!