Westward Whiskey Two Malts Rye 2023 and Westward Whiskey Sauternes Cask

Time to look at two more American Northwest, whiskies from the Westward whiskey distillery which has been in operation since 2004, founded by Thomas Mooney, CEO.

The two expressions I'll been tasked with reviewing are the Westward Sauternes Cask and the 2023 Two Malts Rye.

The latter was finished for 14 months in a prized Sauternes cask from one of France's Grand Cru Classé estates, the former being a exploration of two different malt styles, featuring 12% malted rye - the remainder being a Pacific Northwest pale malt.

Sauternes Cask

Mash bill:        100% 2-row malted barley

Distilled:          November, 2016

Proof:              45% abv

Batch size:       2,070 bottles

Colour:            Old gold

Nose: Initially an intense honey-comb sweetness rapped in a bouquet of vibrant orchard fruits.  

Palate: Tropical fruits are more prevalent on the palate, sweetness is still there but not overpowering, gradually surrendering to a little oakiness.    

Finish: Medium - with a medley of fruits, a little sweet oak spice towards the end.

Two Malts Rye

Mash bill:        12% malted rye, 88% Pacific Northwest 2-row pale malt

Distilled:          July, 2018

Proof:               45% abv

Colour:             Russet/Muscat

Nose: Nutty, intermingled with citrus fruit notes and hints of baking spice.

Palate: Buttery, sweet - candied apples with a dash of baking spice and a little maltyness.

Finish: Medium - touch of cinnamon and nutmeg with a toasted nut finish.

I deliberately waited before penning my thoughts, just so that I could do this side-by-side comparison.  These are two very different expressions, both equally enjoyable, but the Sauternes Cask expression being a clear winner for me.

All the elements work exceptionally well within both these drams, from the malted barley to the cask influence.  It could've been so easy to let the wine cask take over and dominate the distillate, like I've seen in so many recent over finished wine cask expressions.

Both exceptional, demonstrating a complexity and depth of flavors obtained by industry experts whom truly understand their craft.

During a small group blind tasting, these were two clear winners from amongst the 10 random drams on offer, that in its self is a remarkable achievement.

Slàinte mhath!