Westward American Two Malts Bridgeport Brewing Co.

Nose: Malt, ale, espresso-roast coffee, roasted nuts. A distant breeze of rye spices – caraway, mint. Palate: Mildly spicy/sweet arrival, grains, malt, dark ale, rye spice. The development shows earthier cereal notes and malt extract together with a little chocolate and there is some nougat and fruit in the late development. The palate has a pleasant fresh and crisp quality, but it could be criticised for being just a little thin. Finish: Medium. Sweet, malty and fruity. There is a flavour of ale that lingers into the aftertaste. This was an Australian exclusive release, and the second such exclusive that Westward has released here. It is rich in profile and like the first (which I’ve reviewed previously) highly suggestive of a strong, dark craft ale. This impression starts slowly but builds through the tasting until by the time you have finished the dram you feel like you’ve just had a half-pint of red ale. The proof is excellent for the spirit and carries the flavour very well whilst remaining mostly hidden. There is a warming heat but it’s not a “hot” spirit as such and I finished my dram without even thinking to add any water. Rye spices are definitely detected throughout, but they are very well integrated and the rye content of the spirit at no time seems overt. Tasted from a 20ml sample. “Very Good” : 85/100 (4 stars)