Westland Peated American Single Malt

Rating: 14/23 I was quite impressed when I first sampled this at a bar. It stood out as a remarkable American single malt at a reasonable price. Nose: Hints of ale yeast, apples, herbal peat, a touch of smoke, and salty minerality close to brine. It's malty with some sweetness, but not excessively so. However, I don't want to overstate it: it smells young and lacks depth, though the complexity is decent. Palate: Malty, lightly toasted, with peaty and slightly herbal notes, plus singed grass. Faint apple presence. Abundant ale yeast. Fleeting notes of vanilla and cinnamon from the barrel. It's somewhat light with distinct flavors that balance okay but don't meld perfectly. It all seems a bit immature and simple, and the complexity doesn't really emerge here. Finish: Toasted grain with light peat and faint smoke. Occasional hints of apple and vanilla. - Conclusion - I realize now why I initially thought this was much better than it actually is. In the right setting, its youthfulness is masked, and the balance of ale and peat works well. However, on a clean palate, it's evident that while the flavors are good, this is a young and uncomplicated whiskey. Similar to Amrut Peated, this isn't the most complex. It lacks the superior flavor of Amrut and definitely tastes younger. Amrut is smokier with a more authentic peated malt profile. It's also slightly more complex and cohesive, and a bit less harsh. Considering all this, I believe the Westland is about two points lower than Amrut. It could be three points lower. I still have high hopes for Westland, but after this experience, I'm less likely to purchase a bottle in the future. The remaining step is to observe how this bottle evolves with air and hope it matures, revealing more complexity. I don't think this is a 16 anymore; it's closer to a 14. It could be a 15. There are good underlying flavors, but they aren't fully developed. It has the youthful boldness of Shin 10 without the overwhelming complexity. The flavors are still good, but they need time to mature. Since I rated Shin 10 a 15, this solidifies its rating at a 14. It's unfortunate that Westland is discontinuing this product. It shows good promise, and the removal of a peated option from their range is disappointing.

The aroma is peaty yet fruity, an intriguing and compelling combination. The flavor isn't overpowering, in the style of American Single Malt, but it possesses a rich, peaty taste. Dark chocolate is very noticeable, and there's certainly tobacco, though it doesn't have those nose-burning peat spikes. Plenty of toffee is present, and the sweetness is quite enjoyable. It lacks a strong malty, cereal flavor, but some is present. While it doesn't exhibit extensive complexity for a spirit of this type, it offers enough, and the flavors are all quite good. It's a bit subdued for a peated whiskey, but what can you expect from an American Single Malt? The trade-off might be its exceptional smoothness. It's fairly sweet, but the peat provides balance and depth to the mild flavor. It's a very successful balance for an American Single Malt. It compensates well for the typical shortcomings of American Single Malt. Some might find it too sweet, but I appreciate it. The conclusion is also very pleasing. It could benefit from a bit more richness and complexity, but its balance is very good as is. The flavor here is rather mild, with ample chocolate combined with a subtle touch of tobacco and some fruit. I prefer the more potent and fruitier Westland Peat Week 2017. This is a respectable Peated American Single Malt, but the outcome is too mild. The balance is excellent, but more richness is truly essential here. It's unfortunate that this is a drawback, as the flavor is otherwise very good, showcasing a nice harmony that highlights the balance without obscuring the elements that make this a pleasant drink. I'm content to have it, but I desire more impact. I would certainly sip this, but I would really enjoy trying a more aged version. The clean flavor is very pleasing, though. With a substantial sip, the spice does emerge, asserting the character of this drink, as do (to a lesser extent) the cherry, almond, and chocolate.

Nose: Spicy oaky peat! A bit of vanilla and 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 increasingly becoming my favorites. Balcones is, of course, excellent. This Westland expression from Seattle, which is no longer produced, is unfortunate. I was fortunate to find it on sale for $37. Poured neat, it exhibits notes of dried banana chips, teaberry gum, vacuum-sealed packaging, and some malt presence. There's some smoke, but it's like melting resin or plastic. The palate reveals its youth but is lively with smoky malt sugars, banana peel, barrel wood, and a pleasant char. The finish has only slightly dry tannins and a good, lasting charred malt with a lingering floral sensation. It's a bit bright and fiery, but the flavors are deep and persistent. Overall, a satisfying American single malt... 85/100... I suspect the sherry-finished version would be superb, although I believe that is discontinued as well. This is a distillery worth watching, and don't hesitate if considering a purchase; these producers are high quality.

The aroma has the familiar dark fruit and chocolate scent I always detect from Westland. It's smooth, rich, and sweet. Initially, I only get a faint hint of smoke, but after a minute, it develops. Savory smoke emerges with the sweet richness. Roasted marshmallow is the dominant taste, like one that's been burnt. Beneath that, some wood emerges but stays in the background of the burnt marshmallow, leading to a brief conclusion. It vanishes quickly but leaves a burnt, woody aftertaste that lingers long after the initial conclusion. On subsequent tastings, I noticed more savory smoked meat notes, but the sweet burnt marshmallow consistently dominates, with dark coffee notes on the conclusion. Adding water amplified all these elements, especially the smoke.

Nose: Malted grain, baked goods, vanilla, lemon. Palate: Sugary, subtle smoke, prune, drupes, almond, roasted coffee. Finish: Moderate length. Sugary, oak, fruit (drupes), black pepper, aromatics. Quite sweet with a mild spice. Some smoke notes are present but stay subtle. It's a bit too sugary for my preference, but it's a rather enjoyable pour. Ranked sixth out of six pours, receiving 5% of the vote for the evening's favorite. 90% of attendees indicated they liked the whisky.