The Pacific Northwest, in a glass. Distilled in the heart of Seattle and smoked with local Washington State peat, this American Single Malt is a little tropical, a little briny, and full of character. It’s also the first ever solo cask from Westland’s local-peat programme released outside their award-winning Solum range. ABOUT THIS WHISKEY American Single Malt Whiskey Cask: Ex-Bourbon Distilled: 11/11/2017 Bottled: 13/01/2025 Strength: 53%abv 1 of only 306 bottles (ever!) Tastes like: A gentle waft of smoke rises first - subtle, earthy, almost coastal - before giving way to creamy sweetness and sun-warmed fruit. Think acacia honey drizzled grilled peaches, and a hint of peanut butter on warm toast. On first sip, that smoke deepens: beach bonfire, sea breeze, and a touch of hot pavement after rain (hello petrichor). There’s a light floral thread of heather and lemon peel, balanced by tropical hints of green melon and - yum! - foamy banana. On the finish, the smoke and stone fruit sweetness linger on. Acacia Honey Creamy Peanut Butter Grilled Peaches Beach Bonfire Sea Breeze Meet the distillery: Set in Seattle’s SoDo district, surrounded by the raw beauty of the Pacific Northwest, Westland Distillery has redefined what American Single Malt Whiskey can be. Discover more about Westland HERE {Link to distillery page}. This made the cut because: We love exploring how the source of that smoke can capture a sense of place, and Westland’s use of local Washington State peat, harvested from the Olympic Peninsula, gives a fresh, herbal, and earthy depth unlike anything from Scotland or Ireland. Rich in moss, sage, and wild botanicals like Labrador Tea, this peat brings a subtle floral lift - hints of lavender, herbs, and soft earth that make its smoke character uniquely Pacific Northwest. This cask - the first single cask ever released outside their award-winning Solum range - offers a rare opportunity to experience that same DNA in its purest form. Smoky, savoury, and layered with sweetness, it’s a whiskey that carries the wild, rugged energy of the Pacific Northwest - and with just 306 bottles, a fleeting opportunity to taste the region in a glass. Half + Heart suggestion: This whiskey was MADE for a beer pairing. Especially as we’re sipping it in autumn, when the nights are a little colder and we’re looking for a more warming, comforting serve. We’re pouring ours alongside Good Chemistry’s Heartland Rock, a modern American Pale Ale that sits somewhere between the coasts - hazy, juicy, and smooth, with pithy orange and pine from classic US hops. Easy-going, but with a little attitude — just like this whiskey. We also love it with a crisp, low-ABV Small Beer Co Pale Ale, which lets the smoke and tropical fruit shine. https://goodchemistrybrewing.co.uk/collections/beer/products/heartland-rock Label Inspiration The label takes its cues from the wild Pacific Northwest - the dramatic silhouette of Mount Rainier and the vast forests that surround Seattle. It’s also a nod to Ana Hinz, our friend at Westland who helped us select this cask, and whose love of hiking (with a hipflask of Westland in her pack, of course) perfectly captures the adventurous spirit of this whiskey. Other cool things about this bottling 1. Malted with Local Washington State Peat This whiskey is part of Westland’s pioneering work with regional peat - sourced from a bog in the Olympic Peninsula, where botanicals like Labrador Tea lend a bright, resinous, and herbal quality. It’s a completely different peat profile: less iodine and smoke, more earth, moss, and sweet campfire. 2. Made with Washington State Barley Westland partners with local farmers in the Skagit and Palouse Valleys to grow heirloom, flavour-forward barley - varieties chosen for character rather than yield. These grains give depth, texture, and a naturally malty sweetness that defines their house style. HEADING TO SEATTLE? Check out our tried and tested guide to our favourite bars, restaurants, coffee shops and other cool things to do whilst visiting Westland Distillery or passing through Seattle. Enjoy! {LINK TO MAP} @Ana would love your tips here!
