The Westland Distillery in Seattle has gained a great reputation for exceptional American single malts. This rich whiskey has notes of coffee and chocolate, leading to a palate of warm spice and caramel. A luscious example of just how exciting the whiskey being created in the USA is these days.

Westland American Oak Single Malt whiskey is one of the flagship bottles from Seattle's Westland distillery. Bottled at 92 proof (46% ABV), it's a five-malt barley bill release which is in keeping with the diverse mash-bills Westland like to use in their production.

Based in Seattle's SoDo district since 2010, the team behind Westland American oak single malt whiskey produces a distinctive range of American single malt whiskey. This includes the Garryana, Colere, and Solum releases, as part of the Outpost collection and the sherry wood, peated and American Oak bottles, which comprise the Heritage collection. They also have a core entry level American Single Malt whiskey.

This bottle is, not surprisingly, matured in new American oak casks. It's a non-age statement release designed to have an old-world approach, but with an American twist.

With a cigar box and peppery wood personality, it also comes packed with lots of fruit flavours and aromas such as pear, cherries and bananas. There's lots of sweetness in this release also and it's often described as having touches of vanilla custard and buttered bread.

Designing an American whiskey collection in the single malt category is relatively rare but it has paid off. There are very few other single malt-focused distilleries in the country.

The barley used is predominantly US-sourced with some of the barley mix coming from Washington.