This new expression is bottled at 100-proof (50% ABV) and is limited to an estimated 4,608 bottles.
The whiskey was matured using a grain bill of Westland’s Signature Five Malt and Washington Pale Malts. Its maturation took place in a combination of first- and second-fill Garry oak casks, with supporting aging in Pedro Ximénez, rum, and ex-Bourbon barrels.
Shane Armstrong, Westland’s master blender, has led the Garryana series since its inception.
“There is a magic to working with an oak species unique to our region,” Armstrong said. “Each edition seeks a supporting cast to concentrate or contrast. This release, our very first to boast an age statement, represents refinement over time, a small gesture to all those tasks tallied in service of something new.”
According to the official notes from the brand, the whiskey has a nose of “mulled wine with clove, walnut fudge brownie, [and] lemon Danish pastry.”
The palate is said to deliver notes of “s’mores, dehydrated strawberry, toasted cumin seed, [and] blood orange.”
The Garryana series has received critical acclaim since its debut in 2015, with the eighth edition securing the number three spot on Whisky Advocate’s Top 20 Whiskies list in 2023.
Grain Bill: Westland Signature Five Malt + Washington Pale Malts
Primary Casks: First & Second Fill Garry Oak
Secondary Casks: Pedro Ximenez Hogshead, Rum, and Ex-Bourbon
Dark sugars, citrus fruit, cinnamon, peat smoke, green apples, pie crust, and warming oak.
Sugared oak, salt, peat smoke, well balanced oak among the sweeter sugars of the malt. Notes of chocolate, meringue, balanced among notes of black tea.
Oily mouthfeel with a long finish that holds to your teeth. Brown sugar, oak, and touch of smoke right at the end. Wonderful throughlines displaying the oak, sugars, and complex profiled finishing casks.
Westland was extremely gracious and offered me an opportunity to attend the 10-year Garryana release party in Seattle, Washington. The distillery is tucked away near the Starbucks world headquarters, and similar to the other iconic Seattle beverage company, Westland is putting their name on a global stage.
After the release party master blender Shane Armstrong and managing director Jason Moore sat down with me for a quick interview to discuss Garry Oak, this 10-year whiskey, the heist, and the future of this release. Garryana Oak is native to the West Coast of the United States, it is a beautiful hardwood tree. Critically it is an iconic species to those of us in the Northwest.
Westland, according to Mr. Moore, is dedicated to crafting single malt whiskey that can stand up to the best in the world. Although the distillery is young, founded in 2010, each year they strive to make the incremental changes necessary to put themselves on the world stage.
Westland believes the Pacific Northwest is best suited to the curation of single malt whiskey over other popular whiskies like Bourbon. The climate is heavily impacted by the Pacific Ocean and Cascade mountains, meaning the temperatures never get too hot or too cold, especially compared to Kentucky or Colorado, or Tennessee. “Everything about this part of the world begs for a single malt.” Says Shane Armstrong. “The sea creates temperate environment which allows for a slower wood growth and aging.” Due to the climate the barreled whiskey drops 1-proof point per year, unlike other regions where the dryer hotter climates increase the proof in barrel.
Mr. Armstrong discussed the complex interplay with the brewing scene in Seattle and Washington. He has taken inspiration with the exploration of roasting grains, development of complex yeast strains to build something robust enough to stand up to the deep flavors of the Garry Oak. When asked about where this whiskey goes from here, Mr. Armstrong says “what comes next is impacted by what came before.”
This expression, according to Mr. Armstrong and Moore, is an example of a spread in notes. They liken this expression to listening to Jazz, it is the notes between the notes that demonstrate the complexity of the Garryana Oak and the Single Malt whiskey. The release of this whiskey was a display of complexity and dedication, a watershed moment for the distillery to release a 10 year age statement. Showing they’ve been around long enough to produce it, but also have ability to stick around and continue producing.
We did discuss the recent theft but our remarks were expectedly brief. While they were obviously frustrated by the circumstances which lead to the theft, they maintained a convivial attitude joking this was certainly, “a whiskey worth stealing.”
As we concluded our conversation, before Mr. Moore and Armstrong rejoined their team for a post-celebration celebration, I asked Mr. Armstrong what he was proudest about with this whiskey and how did he describe the flavors. He said, “we are going to continue focusing on making the best whiskey in the world, we will focus on the details so you can just enjoy the creation.” As for Garryana 10, “this whiskey represents the perfect space of flavor and notes, stretched to the perfect degree. You need to experience it.”
I was profoundly humbled by the members of Westland and their hospitality. They threw one heck of a good party in Seattle which was very well attended. I had a tremendous time exploring the distillery, talking with various fans, and of course speaking with Mr. Moore and Mr. Armstrong.
This whiskey is a fun expression and unique exploration of oak and single malt. It is the small distilleries who are pushing the boundaries of where whiskey can go. This whiskey is to be shared. Don’t hoard, drink up. While it will always be a marquee for Westland’s past and present, I’m assured their future is only going to produce even greater expressions.
