Westward American Single Malt is a refined and character-filled whiskey from Portland, Oregon. Made from 100% malted barley, fermented with ale yeast, and aged in new charred American oak, it delivers malt-sweetness with oak spice, citrus brightness, and a distinctly Pacific Northwest signature. Its accessible for whisky newcomers but layered enough to reward enthusiasts.

Key Specs & Background

Feature Detail Producer / Brand Westward Whiskey, Portland, Oregon Type / Style American Single Malt Whiskey core expression (not cask strength by default) Grain Bill 100% malted barley; uses locally malted barley and ale yeast in fermentation. Barrel / Maturation Aged in new, charred American oak barrels. ABV / Proof 45% ABV Age Statement NAS (no age statement) for the core expression.

Tasting Profile

• Nose / Aroma: Sweet malt and vanilla; caramel; lightly floral & citrus peel; toasted oak and subtle baking spice. Some review notes mention butterscotch, lemon, herbal undercurrents.

• Palate / Taste: Creamy mouthfeel with malt sweetness, honey, caramel; then oak spice (wood char, maybe some clove / cinnamon); citrus and fruit notes (apple, orange peel) appear, with a balancing herbal or earthy edge.

• Finish: Medium to long; vanilla, some sweet oak, lingering malt; mild dry note toward the endwood tannin, subtle spice. Herbal or slightly earthy tones linger.

What Makes It Special

• It blends beer-brewing tradition with whisky distillation: using ale yeast, locally malted barley, and roots in the craft scene of Oregon gives it authenticity and terroir.

• While many whiskies strive for either sweet maltiness or heavy oak, Westward finds a middle path: strong malt base with noticeable oak influence without overwhelming the barley character.

• It helped pave the way (along with other innovators) for the American single malt category, demonstrating that locally sourced ingredients + careful maturation + clarity of vision can produce something distinct.

Strengths & Considerations

Strengths:

• Excellent gateway single malt for those more familiar with bourbon or whisky styles with noticeable oak, since it blends malt and oak in a friendly way.

• Good value for the flavor: the malt base, approachable proof, and oak aging make it satisfying neat or with minimal dilution.

• Good in cocktails that allow malt + oak interplayOld Fashioned, Malt Manhattan, or gentle whisky highballs.