Citrus zest | Apricot | Steeped malt tea | Nutty undertone

Orange rind | Raisin | Brown sugar | Graham cracker | Honey | Well balanced

Summer fruits | Splash of allspice | Slightly dry | Trailing citrus note

Westward Whiskey is located in Portland, Oregon, and specializes in American single malts. Their whiskeys offer a distinct underlying flavor profile, with releases varying by age, proof, and finishing type. Their limited edition release of Milestone Edition No. 2 made our Best American Single Malts of 2024 list, and not only was it one of the best American single malt whiskeys released in 2024, but also one of the best overall whiskeys released in 2024. Thankfully, the quality of releases from Westward Whiskey permeates through their more accessible releases, including this one.

The quintessential citrus notes I tend to pick up with Westward’s whiskeys are evident throughout this whiskey. They’re nicely balanced against a nutty undertone on the nose, sweeter notes of raisin, brown sugar, and honey on the palate, and a splash of allspice on the finish. At 90 proof there is plenty of richness of flavor, and without any rye in its 100% malted barley mashbill, the only hint of spice is that splash of allspice in the finish. Westward’s 2024 Oloroso Sherry Cask is on par with the distillery’s consistently high quality whiskeys, but those new to Westward and American single malt in general should be prepared for a flavor profile that’s quite divergent from what they are used to.