PBMichiganWolverine
Westland Garryana 2017 Edition 21
American Single Malt — Washington, USA
Reviewed
March 29, 2018 (edited November 1, 2018)
I had this at the distillery in Seattle ( which by the way is a fun visit). It’s interesting to see that this was aged in Garryana oak, which is native to Washington and Oregon, and also is regulated under law from being cut. Which means that the barrels have to be made from trees that fell. Less than 4% of Pacific Northwest trees are of these garryana, and it only grows in a small part of Washington and Oregon. The wood imparts a strong overpowering flavor, which forces it to be mixed with other whiskey aged in new oak or used bourbon. Nose: strong vanilla, much stronger than bourbon. Flavor is complex and deep. Almost heavy in feel, as if you’re having a syrup. Really well made and highly recommended.
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@PBMichiganWolverine - I think we should take a vote to see if you still fund 529’s and 401k. :)
@Rick_M no, no laddie...I got two bottles for free. Their 2017 Garryana and a 5 yr one that’s not out yet. Courtesy of a private VIP tour, arranged by a Fortune 5 company
@PBMichiganWolverine - ok, let’s see: $150 x 4 = $600. That’s more expensive than the fine for cutting down a garryana, but sounds like it might have been worth it. :)
@Richard-ModernDrinking oh you could be right...legal probably. Like Utah...where we had to buy samples at the High West distillery, they simply couldn’t provide it otherwise
@PBMichiganWolverine Yup pretty much. But I did get to see barrel charring as well, which was fun, and spent some time chatting with the master distiller. Not sure if the lack of drink was for cultural or legal reasons.
@Richard-ModernDrinking. Seriously??! Then it’s just seeing a bunch of stills and vats. At Westland, we were offered 6 drams.
@PBMichiganWolverine It was fun but they didn't offer me anything to drink!
@Richard-ModernDrinking. On a related note—-how was the Amrut visit?
Glad you got to try this one. It's the first Westland I really liked
I did. And a hand filled 5 yr old, their first.
Great review @PBMichiganWolverine - did you pick up a bottle?