Westward

Founded in Portland, Oregon by Christian Krogstad in 2004, Westward can be considered one of these proper 'craft' distilleries that plenty of people are raving about now. Although, Christian did also co-create Aviation Gin, now so famously owned by Ryan Reynolds.

Single Malt is a rapidly growing category within American whiskey production - whereas initially producers tended to stay away from Single Malt for fear of association with Scotch (and also because Bourbon is 'where it's at') craft distillers are increasing finding malted barley can produce some phenomenal flavour profiles far and away from the old guard.

As is very much the case here. Westward use ale yeast as opposed to distiller's yeast and use lightly charred virgin oak, as opposed to Bourbon's heavy charring.

The nose is stunning - there's deep, rich malty aromas, akin to standing dead centre in a brewery. But there's also milk chocoalte and dark spice. Those notes continue onto the palate, with the spice becoming hotter (but not overpowering) and the maltiness becoming close to burnt without being acrid. There's black coffee, a rich nuttiness but also a creamy, runny caramel note. The complexity is stunning - everything feels dark and brooding but at the same time welcoming. It's really quite brilliant.