Heavy peat | Walnut | Light pine | Prevalent smoke

Savory peat | Roasted marshmallow | Campfire smoke | Dark chocolate | Full-bodied

Cayenne pepper spice | Peat | Aged oak | Lingering heat

Westland Distillery is located in Seattle, Washington’s SoDo neighborhood, and was founded in 2011. The company makes American single malts in a way that harkens toward Scottish whiskey making style. The barrel selected for this Lost Lantern release was peated with Scottish peat, and was aged for exactly 9.99 years. This odd aging number is because Westland Distillery has not released a whiskey aged 10 years yet, and they wanted to ensure their first 10 year old release was done under their own label, not an independent one.

Be that as it may, few would complain about a 9.99 year old whiskey from a Pacific Coast distillery who is one of the leaders in forging a new path for the American single malt category. Not surprisingly, the whiskey is incredibly peat-forward, so it’s clearly one to avoid if peat isn’t your jam. But if you enjoy peated whiskeys and you enjoy higher proof whiskeys, Lost Lantern 2024 Single Cask #16 delivers. It starts with heavy peat on the nose that’s accompanied by walnut, light pine, and prevalent underlying smoke. Savory peat gains momentum in the palate, along with roasted marshmallow, potent campfire smoke, and engaging dark chocolate. A pop of cayenne pepper spice, persistent peat, and aged oak embody the finish, which trails off with a lingering heat.

This whiskey is a full-bodied, full-flavored affair that isn’t shy about the direction it takes you in, showcasing just how unique American single malts can be, including when they taste more like a Scottish one. It also highlights Lost Lantern’s range, which is seemingly endless when it comes to American whiskeys, and why their releases are always exciting.

Lost Lantern Single Cask #16: Westland Peated American Single Malt 9.99 Years Old is a 185 bottle release.