Westland "Flagship" American Single Malt Whiskey

Westland “Flagship” American Single Malt is a modern, Pacific Northwest-anchored single malt that balances polished oak richness with vivid malt complexity and a quietly earthy, ember-like nuance. It’s an ideal “house pour” for the single malt drinker who wants something distinctly American—full-bodied and malty, yet lifted by orchard fruit, cocoa, and a refined, gently drying structure.

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Origins & Craftsmanship
Westland Distillery (Seattle, Washington) helped pioneer the American Single Malt category, and “Flagship” is designed as the definitive expression of the distillery’s core style. It’s built on Westland’s signature multi-malt approach—using a base of Washington-grown select pale malt, layered with specialty roasted and kilned malts (including Munich, Extra Special, pale chocolate, and brown malt) to widen the spectrum of flavor from biscuit and honey to cocoa, toast, and espresso-like depth. A small component of heavily peated malt has been used in the blend to add an earthy, smoldering dimension rather than overt smoke.

Maturation is a carefully composed program rather than a single-cask story: the whiskey is matured for a minimum of about 40 months and drawn from a curated mix that emphasizes American oak while retaining a measured nod to classic single malt traditions. Expect a backbone of new and used American oak, complemented by first-fill ex-bourbon casks and a proportion of oloroso sherry casks (including refill stock) to round the mid-palate and add dark-fruit resonance without turning the whiskey overtly “sherried.” Bottled at 46% ABV, it’s positioned for both neat sipping and high-performance cocktail use.

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Critics Reviews
Whisky Advocate awards Westland “Flagship” American Single Malt 92 points, highlighting a nose of fresh oak and light peat with orange peel, vanilla, and cooked malt, followed by a lush, honeyed palate showing apricot, sliced apples, blackberries, chocolate, and a hint of cigar smoke—light on its feet, yet full-bodied.

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Tasting Profile
Nose: Fresh-sawn oak and toasted malt lead, followed by orange peel, vanilla cream, and baked-apple warmth. A subtle “damp ember” earthiness sits underneath—more smoldering grain-and-wood than overt smoke.

Palate: Silky and malty with honeyed sweetness, then a wave of orchard fruit (apricot, apple) and dark-berry tones. Cocoa and chocolate-bar richness build mid-palate, balanced by structured oak and a gentle peppery lift that keeps the whiskey bright rather than heavy.

Finish: Medium-long and composed—cocoa, toasted malt, and drying oak taper into faint ember-like earth and a final echo of citrus peel and vanilla.

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Quick Overview

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Cocktail Recipes (Include when appropriate)

American Single Malt Old Fashioned (House Style)
Ingredients:

• 2 oz Westland Flagship

• 0.25 oz demerara syrup (1:1)

• 2 dashes aromatic bitters

• 1 dash orange bitters (optional)
  Garnish: Orange peel
  Method: Stir with ice until well-chilled. Strain over a large cube in a rocks glass. Express orange peel and garnish.

Seattle Rob Roy (Malt Manhattan Twist)
Ingredients:

• 2 oz Westland Flagship

• 1 oz sweet vermouth

• 2 dashes aromatic bitters

• 1 dash cocoa bitters (optional, highly complementary)
  Garnish: Brandied cherry or orange twist
  Method: Stir with ice. Strain into a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora. Garnish.

Flagship Highball
Ingredients:

• 2 oz Westland Flagship

• 4–5 oz premium soda water
  Garnish: Lemon twist
  Method: Build in a tall glass over clear ice. Add whiskey, top with soda, and give one gentle lift. Express lemon twist over the glass and drop in.

"Westland's flagship single malt is aged for two years and bottled at 92 proof. It has a topaz hue and rich caramel aroma. On the palate, it's a bit oaky at first, but soon opens up to echo that bold caramel, plus a smoky touch of burnt orange peel on the slightly hot finish. Adding water brings out a faint almond note too." Wine Enthusiast 93 Points