American

Whiskey Review: Westward Whiskey Sauternes Cask

We review Westward Whiskey Sauternes Cask, an American single malt that's finished for 14 months in ex-French dessert sweet white wine casks.

OVERALL RATING

5
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Westward Whiskey Sauternes Cask review

Tasting Notes

About:

The mash bill is 100% 2-row malted barley, distilled on November 2016. Bottled at 45% abv, or 90 proof. 2,070 bottles were produced as a whiskey club exclusive. Retail for the Whiskey Club member is $99.99. Color: Dark or red copper.
Appearance:
Nose:
Initially there was some cherry cough syrup – I found it a touch medicinal. As the glass opened, I found hints of cut wood, white grape juice and sour gummy candy. There weren’t any astringent flavors, but there also wasn’t a lot of harmony in the nose.
Palate:
Initially, there is a lot happening and it takes a few seconds to feel it all through. We start with coffee grounds before settling into the sweet white wine. There is a hint of citrus like ripe limes – it evolves into hazelnuts with white faint sugar before drifting into a touch of white peach. The finish is buttery on the tongue, but extremely brief. There is just the softest faintest linger but nothing really present for very long. Before you really start searching for the finish, it’s gone.
Finish:
Comments:
I really wanted to enjoy this. I like Westward, and I really like their creativity. This whiskey just did not hit the mark for me. Although I was able to find a lot of pieces in the taste, they were all buried under the coffee ground/char profile. The softness of the dessert wine was simply outmuscled by the single malt whiskey.

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.

Charles Steele

Charles Steele, a Portland-based attorney, is a native of the Pacific Northwest. His legal background provides him with an analytical approach to understanding whiskey and other aged spirits. Primarily a legal writer, freelancing for The Whiskey Wash offers Charles a unique opportunity to showcase his versatility as a writer. Although his preference lies with whiskey and whiskey-based cocktails, he has a profound appreciation for all unique and unconventional liquors, from Malört to Ojen - if it's peculiar, he's intrigued.

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