American

Westward Whiskey Rosé Cask Finish

OVERALL
RATING

7

Whiskey Review: Westward Whiskey Rosé Cask Finish

We review Westward Whiskey Rosé Cask Finish. This American single malt was finished in a dessert rosé cask that previously held tequila.
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Tasting Notes:

About:
90 proof, 45% ABV, 100% malted two-row barley, distilled 06/14/17, single barrel, 750ml
Appearance:
Golden brown chestnut, with a burgundy tint. Just a few legs, slow and spaced evenly.
Nose:
Sweet almond, moving towards candied cherry.
Palate:
Thick texture. Fruity and sweet notes of grapefruit and prune candy into a bubblegum note. A touch of green grape provides a bit of refreshment before sweetening again into brown sugar and vanilla frosting. A sort of fermented funkiness hangs around throughout without ever taking prominence.
Finish:
Comments:
This is an oddball for sure. There are a lot of flavors atypical to single malt whiskies coming into play. However, even with the variety, there isn’t a wild amount of complexity happening. Still, I’m intrigued, and that’s what keeps me sippping.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by Westward Whiskey. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review.

Westward Whiskey makes a point of being an “American whiskey.” They go even further with continuous partnerships with Pacific Northwest companies and producers, honoring the elements and people that the region shares. 

Westward Whiskey was among the first of the American single malts, and has built a substantial business on the style. They maintain a range of fairly young whiskeys, but age them in a wide variety of unique and interesting casks. 

In this expression they are partnering with Dobbes Family Estate. Dobbes is a winery in Dundee, Oregon, that has been producing wine for 20 years, and, as stated in the name, is a family business. According to Westward CEO Thomas Mooney, “Dobbes Family Estate is a renowned producer whose winemaking ethos is ‘unbound by convention,’ a notion that resonates deeply with the team at Westward.”

The Dobbes cask in question was from a rosé of pinot noir release, specifically a dessert rosé. The sweet fruitiness of this expression speaks clearly to this finishing. But wine is not the only player in this cask. The cask Dobbes acquired for their rose had previously held tequila, adding a new element to both the wine and the whiskey. It’s unlikely the tequila had a direct impact on the whiskey, considering the whiskey was the third fill. However, it would have an indirect one through the wine. I got a certain funk from this expression that could be caused by that.

This expression is a whiskey club exclusive, and was only available for purchase to club members. They’ve released other Pacific Northwest partnered expressions, such as their Tempranillo cask finish and a collaboration with now-closed Bridgeport Brewing, as well as other unique finishes. 

Westward Whiskey Rosé Cask Finish review
Westward Whiskey American Single Malt x Dobbes Family Estate Pinot Noir Rosé Cask Finish (image via Westward Whiskey)

Tasting Notes: Westward American Single Malt Rose Cask Finish

Vital Stats: 90 proof, 45% ABV, 100% malted two-row barley, distilled 06/14/17, single barrel, 750ml 

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Appearance: Golden brown chestnut, with a burgundy tint. Just a few legs, slow and spaced evenly.

Nose: Sweet almond, moving towards candied cherry.

Palate: Thick texture. Fruity and sweet notes of grapefruit and prune candy into a bubblegum note. A touch of green grape provides a bit of refreshment before sweetening again into brown sugar and vanilla frosting. A sort of fermented funkiness hangs around throughout without ever taking prominence.

Talia Gragg

Talia is part of the Portland service industry community, and an alumna of the Multnomah Whiskey Library. She’s an avid spirit and cocktail enthusiast, and likes to experience them both academically and recreationally. When not sipping whiskey she’s a ceramic artist and lover of travel.

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