Westland Solum Edition 1

What many of us expected to be a loud rock anthem is instead a gentle song, and that's rather lovely. Having relocated to Washington, there were whispers for some time about a peated American Single Malt from Westland Distillery. I recall arriving in 2018 and even then, posing the right questions during a distillery tour would reveal (pun intended) their intentions. Soon after, with the introduction of their Outpost Range, they confirmed it and gave it a name: Solum. Finally! For the first time ever, an all-American Peated Single Malt to stand alongside Laphroaig, Caol Ila, Bruichladdich, and many others! As someone who loves bold peated whiskies, I eagerly anticipated this, dreaming of the possibilities. But honestly, that's not what we received. As a supporter of Westland, I admit I was somewhat let down upon first smelling this dram. It didn't have the parts per million of any strong Scotch. I anticipated notes of old leather, pipe tobacco, clay, and earthy aromas -- yet here was Solum, seemingly calm, displaying a scent of floral and botanical notes. I didn't understand. I had the great honor of attending the Solum Symposium, an event hosted by Westland Distillery before Solum's release. There, a group of us learned that American peat differs from Scottish peat. Instead of the dry peat bogs used for many whiskies, Westland opted for peat from damp, inland bogs, striving to preserve this resource and maintain the vital ecosystems in their chosen area. This is simply not Scottish peat. To truly appreciate Solum, you must adjust your perspective. The team at Westland aimed to highlight terroir, specifically the Washington soil (peat) from which this spirit originates. Within that context, they have created something refined and elegant. It's not a whisky influenced by the sea or battered by coastal winds. It doesn't taste like 'you just kissed a mermaid that ate barbecue.' (Laphroaig, your advertising is truly unmatched) Washington peat is entirely distinct. Initially, I detected floral notes, vanilla, creamy citrus, raspberry, pie crust, and cantaloupe. It's vibrant and lively, with peat subtly present in the background. As the dram opened up, notes of dried red fruits, cocoa powder, wood, a faint trace of smoke, and malty characteristics typical of most Westland releases emerged. Adding a drop enhanced the aroma, bringing forth strawberry shortcake and powdered sugar. This whisky is well-rounded. I found the palate to be where the smoke is most noticeable. It has a medium to full body, presenting flavors of wood-fired pizza crust with ideal char, oak, ripe melon, pepper, a bit of baking spice, along with a hint of clove and dark cherry. It has a pleasant syrupy texture. In my view, the added drop diminished the boldness too much. I preferred it before. The finish is enduring and dry with a saline undertone. At 100 proof, Solum provided the ideal amount of warmth, gradually spreading from my chest to the back of my tongue. This was less a lingering sensation and more a graceful conclusion to each taste. I consistently desired more. So, what have we here? In my opinion, this is something I want on my shelf perpetually. It is rich and brilliant, deliberate and polished. It carries the authentic signature of Westland and reflects their drive to innovate and explore the art of distillation. Solum offers a new perspective on peat, pioneers a new direction, and is exquisitely poetic. Instead of resembling a crude weapon, it is a finely crafted blade. Rather than comparing it to other peated drams, Solum deserves to be appreciated on its own merits, all twenty-thousand years of its existence.

A bit of fruit and a lot of caramel sweetness are immediately apparent. This is followed by vanilla, then a gentle whiff of smoke. It doesn't resemble Islay or Highland peat. It tastes more like wood smoke, but it does have a slight lingering savory funk that I typically only find in peat. There's also a very minor youthful ethanol note (unusual for Westland), but not enough to be bothersome. It's unique and delightful. I'm eager for future releases and hope they explore beyond just different wine casks annually.

Smell: Smoke, Dark Chocolate, Vanilla, Tootsie Rolls, Heather, Coconuts, Raspberries, Pineapples, Butterscotch Taste: Vanilla, Toffee, Caramel, Honey, Iodine, Smoke, Mackerels, S’mores, Mocha, Cinnamon Aftertaste: Mocha, Vanilla, Honey, Oranges, Mocha, Papayas, Pineapples

Complex, musty, woody, deep aroma. Magnificent flavors, wood and butterscotch, perfectly blended. Sweetness and richness complement each other perfectly. This is wonderful. Heavy peat, earthy versus campfire. My favorite Westland expression so far.

Peat is prominent with a long sweet finish. Smooth on the palate with an ideal level of warmth. Enjoyed it neat and eager to try it with an ice cube.

Fortunate to have experienced this. Eagerly awaiting its official launch.