Baking chocolate | New oak | Light brown sugar | LIghtly roasted malt | Subtle for the proof

Baking chocolate | Light vanilla cream | Dry oak | White peppercorn spice | Touch of nutmeg | Faint green coffee beans | Faint caramel

Caramel sauce | Hint of dairy cream | Aged oak | Dry malt grain | Lingering heat

Located in Seattle, Washington, Westland Distillery was established in 2010. The distillery specializes in American single malt whiskeys, utilizing local barley that is sourced from growers in the northwest. For this particular release, Westland used a five mashbill blend of various malts that utilize different roast levels, and aged the whiskey for 7 years in a 200 liter barrel.

While Lost Lantern has released several malts in past collections, this is the first time that the brand has released a single cask from Westland Distillery. For those who may be a fan of bold malts coming out of the Northwest such as Westward Whiskey, this single cask composed of just 215 bottles will present a much different experience. This is a very subtle American single malt that doesn't overpower the drinker with bold flavors, instead maintaining more neutral ground and challenging the drinker to pull flavors out from it. Opening with hints of more traditional malt notes, the scents are light in delivery considering the proof. The palate presents an array of flavors that work cohesively together, however, once again they’re on the lighter side and require concentration to pull out. As the sip ends, its 100+ proof and time in the barrel becomes more apparent as aged oak and dry malt grain pull forward and are joined with a lingering heat that refuses to let go. This is a well composed and very approachable American single malt from Westland Distillery, though considering its age and proof, I was expecting more of a show of force from the whiskey.