Introduction Introducing the #07 release from independent bottlers, The Heart Cut. Discover our limited edition release from Westward Whiskey. Discover our limited edition release from Westward Whiskey. This American Single Malt Whiskey was matured in a New American Oak cask. Tasting Notes Bursting with juicy passion fruit, rich vanilla, and panettone, this whisky also delivers a delightful zing of bitter orange. Consequently, the sweetness is beautifully balanced by toasted almonds, while a pleasing dryness reminiscent of cacao nibs adds further depth. Notably, although this is American Single Malt, it truly offers a whole other level of complexity that sets it apart. AN INTRODUCTION TO WESTWARD WHISKEY The American Northwest is one of the most bountiful and inspiring regions in the world. The area is America’s most fertile barley-growing region and beyond its majestic landscape, it serves as a culinary haven, rich with local breweries, wineries, and globally recognized restaurants. So it’s only natural that any distillery built in the region would draw upon techniques spanning these disciplines, and intertwine them with the wealth of local barley. Westward Whiskey did just that. Founded in 2004, the distillery crafts a distinctive American Whiskey that speaks to its origins. Helping to position itself at the forefront of the American Single Malt movement. Miles Munroe, Master Blender for Westward Whiskey, has always wanted to make whiskey… …a passion he traces back to his days managing a whiskey bar in Kansas City. It was there that his love for craft beer and whiskey came together, leading him to study at the American Brewers Guild. He became a brewer in Portland, a city known for its beer heritage, yet continued to keep his eye on the prize of making Single Malt. In 2012 he landed a job at Westward Whiskey, and has been honing his craft as an integral staple of the award-winning producer ever since. BREWED LIKE A CRAFT ALE Most of the Westward distilling team comes from a brewing background. Which makes sense due to the distillery’s location in a hotbed of breweries and the shared production principles between brewing beer and crafting whiskey. As such, they focus meticulously on building flavour in the first steps of production and preserving it through distillation and maturation. Naturally, all of their barley comes from the American Northwest. After mashing, the mash undergoes a five-day fermentation at a low temperature — much longer than the norm for a Single Malt whiskey. The result is a flavourful, fruity, and floral American craft ale that serves as the beer wash for their whiskey. Distilled like a Single Malt. Their beer wash is distilled through two pot stills - similar to Scotch Whisky. Westward’s custom-made pot stills feature short necks, and the wash and low wines are run through at a fast rate – all designed to limit reflux. These processes have been designed to deliberately preserve and concentrate as much of the flavour built during fermentation. Aged like a Bourbon. Portland has a climate that provides the best of both Scotland and Kentucky, with long, cool winters and hot, dry summers. This temperate climate is an ideal backdrop for whiskey maturation - allowing the esters (flavor compounds) created in previous production steps to develop more complexity. All their whiskey is aged initially in charred new American White Oak barrels, with select batches destined for secondary maturation in casks that previously held Stout Beer, Pinot Noir and Rum, among others. Find out more about Westward Whiskey here. Cask Details 50% ABV 396 bottles available Cask: New American Oak Distilled: 22/03/2018 Bottled: 08/08/2023 Who is this whisky for? This is the perfect whisky gift for someone who loves Single Malt whiskey and, furthermore, wants to explore new and exciting whiskey brands from around the world. In addition, it offers a delicious alternative to the current options, making it an ideal choice for adventurous whisky enthusiasts.
