Toasted oats | Rich malted barley | Raisin crumble | Brown sugar | Mellow chocolate | Oak | Light apricot

Raisin | Brown sugar crumble | Chewy aged oak | Syrup | Rich malted barley | Blackberry | Rich | Thick mouthfeel

Apricot syrup | Baking chocolate | White peppercorn | Rich oak | Chewy roasted malted barley | Canned peaches | Cinnamon spice | Ligering malt & fruit

Based in Portland, Oregon, Westward Whiskey is back with their second ever bottled in bond whiskey. Originally released in 2024, the first edition was notable as Westward Whiskey's highest-aged release at the time. Fast forward two years, and the second edition is now older, coming in at just under double digits. That additional time in the barrel also comes at a cost, however, as the second edition has increased in price from $75 to $100. While the bottle is part of Westward Whiskey’s whiskey club, it’s one of the more consumer-friendly clubs we’ve seen, which makes this bottle fairly easy to acquire.

Westward Whiskey is well known for their unique flavor profile, and the second edition of their bottled in bond whiskey highlights this profile perfectly. The sip starts with a blast of toasted oats and rich malted barley, which are quickly joined by scents of raisin crumble, brown sugar, and mellow chocolate. A light apricot scent joins after further exploration, which provides a nice precursor for the richer midpoint. Raisin and brown sugar crumble collide with chewy aged oak and roasted malted barley, while syrup and blackberry add sweetness. The finish carries this sweetness forward, with apricot syrup and canned peaches providing intrigue, while more common traits of Westward in the form of rich oak, baking chocolate, and chewy roasted malted barley add a supporting base. The sip lingers for a long time as malt and fruit notes provide an incredibly pleasing encore.

While Westward Whiskey has released bottles in the past that contained blends with higher-aged whiskey, such as their Trinity of Casks in 2025, and single barrels that were aged 10 years, this is one of the oldest batched expressions yet from the company. Being proofed to 100 and labeled as a bottle in bond product has allowed consumers the chance to see how far the company has grown from the first edition. While the 2024 release was excellent, this year’s edition offers just enough more to bump it to being an exceptional whiskey.

The extra time in the barrels pulls out richer raisin and malt notes along with rich brown sugar and aged oak. These form a nice core of flavors that others, especially fruit notes, can build off of. The various forms of apricot work wonderfully with the core flavors, while the canned peaches add just enough depth to the finish to really drive home the range of this whiskey. Overall, Westward Whiskey nailed this release and proves that they’re at the top of the American single malt game.