Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review.
Westward Whiskey from Portland, Oregon is an American Single Malt whiskey company. American Single Malt is on the bleeding edge for new whiskey style, and what the industry hopes will be the legal definition should be adopted by the United States Federal Government soon.
The proposed definition for American Single Malt Whiskey is made from 100 percent malted barley; distilled entirely at one distillery; mashed, distilled and matured in the United States; matured in oak casks of a capacity not exceeding 700 liters (184.92 gallons); distilled at no more than 160 proof (80 percent abv) and bottled at 80 proof or more (40 percent abv).
Similar to many distilleries, Westward has limited runs of special casks or creations. Sometimes they are available to the public, and sometimes they are available to exclusive members of the distillery. The Sauternes Cask, which I’m reviewing here, is one of the distillery’s members driven whiskey club exclusives.
Sauternes is a French dessert sweet white wine. The wine is created in the late season when the grape is impacted by Botrytis cinerea or “noble rot.” The grapes become raisined, resulting in concentrated flavor. Westward finishes their American Single Malt whiskey in these casks for 14 additional months, sourcing from an unspecified Grand Cru estate.
According to information from the distillery, “we believe time in the barrel should enhance the flavors of our raw ingredients and amplify the fruity characteristics found in our whiskey. Sauternes is a rare pleasure, with the grapes left on the vine far longer than most, producing an unusually high concentration of sugar and naturally vibrant fruit notes. We have long wanted to explore how Westward comes to life with the integration of this dessert wine, and are thrilled to have found the perfect French Oak barriques for our whiskey.
“Sourced from the highest rated classification in the Graves region, we expected nothing but the best from these casks, so it comes as no surprise that the results are phenomenal.”
With that, we turn to the glass.
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Tasting Notes: Westward Whiskey Sauternes Cask
Vital Stats: 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.
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.
Taste: 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.
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