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Whiskey Review: Westward Whiskey Oregon Stout Cask

We review Westward Whiskey Oregon Stout Cask, an American single malt whiskey out of Oregon that's been finished in ex-stout craft beer casks from Oregon breweries.

OVERALL RATING

7
$90.00
  • Courtney Kristjana is a leading US whiskey taster and aspiring Master of Scotch.
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Tasting Notes

About:

45% ABV (90 proof); double pot-stilled American single malt made with Pacific Northwest two-row barley; aged in new American oak barrels, then finished in stout barrels from Oregon breweries for one year; 750 mL bottle costs $90.
Appearance:
Rich mahogany.
Nose:
You can tell that it is high proof, but it doesn’t burn the nose. Over-ripe bananas stand out with black cherry. There’s a fine layer of baking spices; mostly cinnamon and nutmeg. I am surprised by the amount of fruit I am discover as I continue to sniff. There is a lot of citrus, though I mainly get orange, both zest and fruit.
Palate:
Bitter at first, but the bitterness mellows out in the middle and finish. While the legs of the whiskey run slow down the glass and seem oily, the mouthfeel is quite the opposite; a bit heavy, but not oily. I get a random, faint saltiness with each sip. The taste of oak is present throughout the sip, and stays in the aftertaste, but you can really tell how the Westward Whiskey Oregon Stout Cask was crafted. The stout is strong, and it releases the flavor of coffee and roasted cocoa nibs. For the finish, I get a bit of fresh orange. Warm toasted pecan and malt linger for minutes after finishing a sip.
Finish:
Comments:
I had a hard time deciding on a score and kept flipping between 3.5 and 4 stars. The stout finish is so pronounced that at room temperature, it feels like you’re drinking a warm beer. As well, the bitterness from the stout can be off-putting for some, and to regular single malt drinkers I can see it being a turn off. Anyone who drinks craft beer will enjoy it for sure. I prefer this one on a big cube or as a boilermaker with any of the stouts from the collaborating breweries. It does work in cocktails like a Boulevardier, and of course an Old Fashioned. rnrnI think it’s a fine ode to the craft of brewing and distilling. I have high regards for the distillers at House Spirits, and the Westward Whiskey Oregon Stout Cask is a culmination of all their hard work.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Courtney Kristjana

Courtney Kristjana is a leading whiskey taster in the United States. Inspired by an article on Heather Greene, she left her career in Gerontology to pursue her passion for whiskey. Currently studying to become a Master of Scotch, Courtney dreams of one day being nominated for the Keepers of the Quaich. Her reviews may be as strong as the peat in her scotch, but she guarantees honesty, integrity, and an open mind.

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