Westland Peated American Single Malt

Rating: 14/23 I was pretty impressed by this when I tried it in a bar. It struck me as a stand-out American single malt that was fairly priced. N: Some ale yeast, apples, herbal peat, a bit of smoke, salty minerality bordering on brine. Of course, it's malty with some associated sweetness, but it isn't super malty. I don't want to oversell you on this though: it smells young and not terribly deep - though the complexity is solid. P: Malty, lightly toasty, peaty with a little bit of herbal character and singed grass. Faint apples. Plenty of ale yeast. Dashes of vanilla and cinnamon from the barrel. Kind of light with a few stark flavors that balance decently but don't integrate terribly well. It's all a bit immature and uncomplex, and the complexity doesn't really come out here either. F: Toasty grain with some light peat and faint smoke. Wafts of apple and vanilla come through occasionally. - Conclusion - I think I see how I thought that this was so much better when I first tried it than I now realize it is. In the right context, the youthfulness is hidden and the balance of ale and peat really jams. On a clean palate though, it's clear that although the flavors here are good this is a young an uncomplex whiskey. Like Amrut Peated, this isn't the most complex. This doesn't have as nice of a flavor though and it certainly tastes younger. The Amrut is smoker with a truer peated malt flavor. It's also a little more complex and cohesive, as well as a tad less hot. With all of that considered, I think that the Westland is about 2 points below the Amrut. It could be 3 points. I still have high hopes for Westland, but after being burned here I think I'll be less likely to purchase a bottle in the future. The one remaining thing to do is see how this bottle oxidizes and hope that the air matures it and brings out some complexity. I don't think that this is the 16 I thought previously. It's more in the 14 range, unfortunately. Could be a 15. There are good flavors at the core here, but they aren't fully developed. I feel like this has the youthful brashness of Shin 10 without the bombardment of complexity. The flavors are still good here, but they need time to develop. Since I gave Shin 10 a 15 and this isn't as good, I think that's a solid sign that this should be a 14. It's a shame that Westland is axing this product though. It shows some good potential and the removal of a peated option from their line is a disappointment.

The nose is peaty yet fruity in an interesting and enticing combo. The flavor is not too strong, in the American Single Malt fashion, but there is a rich, peaty flavor. Dark chocolate is very present and there is definitely tobacco too, but it isn't one of those nose-burning peat spikes. There is plenty of toffee too and the sweetness is really enjoyable. It doesn't have a ton of malty, cereal flavor, but there is some there. There isn't a ton of complexity for a drink of this variety, but there is plenty and the flavors are all really good. It's a bit weak for a Peated whiskey, but what do you expect from an American Single Malt? The trade-off may be that it's super smooth. It's quite sweet, but the peat balances out and gives depth to the weak flavor. It's a very successful balance for an American Single Malt. It does a great job of compensating for the usual American Single Malt weakness shortcoming. It might be a bit sweet for some but I like it. The finish is really nice too. It could use a little more richness and complexity, but its balance is really good as is. The flavor here is pretty mild with plenty of chocolate mixed with a mild dose of tobacco and some fruit. I prefer the punchier and fruitier Westland Peat Week 2017. This is a solid Peated American Single Malt, but the end result is too mild. The balance is very good, but more richness is really crucial here. It's too bad that that is a flaw since the flavor is otherwise very good with a nice marriage showing off the balance yet not hiding the elements that make this a nice drink. I'm happy to have it, but I could use some more oomph. I would definitely sip this, but I would really like to try a more aged version. The clean flavor is very nice though. With a big sip, the spice does come out in a way that asserts the character of this drink, and so do (to a lesser extent) the cherry, almond, and chocolate.

Nose: Spicy oaky peat! A bit of vanilla an light honey sits beneath that nice layer of spicy smoke. A bit of an ethanol burn on the back end. Palate: Initially, there's loads of oily sweetness - light, floral honey, soft red apples, and green pears. The peat arrives as a spicy-sweet smoke, like apples roasted over a campfire. Nothing medicinal or industrial to this peat, more like that thick white/grey smoke right after you douse a fire that's built up a thick bed of coals. Finish: Short-medium length and a bit dry. Pretty boring finish actually. It's this light heather honey and campfire smoke. Water turns the nose into something I can only describe as smokey watermelon. A bit like saltwater taffy. It feels much thicker and cooler and much of the fruit disappears. In its place is much more char and smoke, almost tobacco-like, along with a slight charcoal-bitter note. It lasts a bit longer after some water, but still not long by any means. Conclusion: To be honest, I'm a bit disappointed. The nose is a bit boring and the finish is almost nonexistent besides some residual ambiguous smoke. It's definitely a tasty peat, not medicinal or industrial, but very campfire smoke-like. It's tasty, but I don't think it's worth the price.

American single malts are becoming some of my favorites. Balcones is of course fantastic. This Seattle based Westland offering is discontinued and thats a shame. I was lucky to find on sale for $37. Poured neat, dried banana chips, teaberry gum, vacuum bag and some malt presence. There is some smoke but its a resin /plastic melting affair. Palate shows its youth but is vibrant with smoky malt sugars, banana peel, barrel woods with a nice hit of char. Finish is tannins only slightly dry and good lasting charred malt with a lingering floral feel. Its a bit bright and hot but flavors are deep and sustain. Overall an enjoyable ASM.........85/100........I bet the sherry finished would be great though I think thats discontinued as well. This is a distillery to keep an eye on and dont worry if considering purchase, these guys are quality.

Nose has the same dark fruit and chocolate note I always get from Westland. It's round, rich, and sweet. I only get a tiny hint of smoke at first but after it sitting for a minute it opens up. Savory smoke with the sweet richness. Roasted marshmallow is the overwhelming note on the palate. The kind you let catch on fire and then blow out. Under that some wood comes out but it stays in the background of the burnt marshmallow into a short finish. It disappears quickly but leaves a burnt and woody aftertaste that lingers long after the initial finish. On further visits I did get more savory smoked meat notes but the sweet burnt marshmallow always comes dominant with dark coffee notes on the finish. Water increased all these by amping up the smoke.

(Good Spirits Co. Glasgow – Virtual ‘Peat in the wrong place’ Whisky Tasting, 20 August 2021). Nose: Gristy, biscuit, vanilla, citrus Palate: Sweet, light peat, plum, berries, nutty, coffee beans Finish: Medium finish. Sweet, wood, fruit (berries), black pepper, spices Very sweet, lightly spicy. There are hints of peat, but very much in the background. A little too sweet for my palate, but this is a pretty tasty dram. Came last out of the six drams, with 5% of the final vote for favourite of the night. 90% of those present said they enjoyed the whisky.