This bottling comes to us by way of Lost Lantern, an American independent bottler. The folks of r/bourbon collaborated with Lost Lantern to release this single cask of Westward. Westward is a distillery located in Portland Oregon who produces American Single Malt whiskey. This particular cask of American Single malt had a mashbill of 100% two-row, high color malted Barley. It was aged for 4 years in New American Oak (200 L Kelvin Cooperage Char 2 New American Oak barrel) and then finished for 1 year in an ex-port cask (225L Adega Cabernet Port). Then it was bottled at cask strength with no additives.
ABV: 64%
Nose: Graham Cracker, Black Pepper, Red Grapes, Dark Chocolate, Lemon Zest, Espresso.
Palate: Medium oily mouthfeel, Graham Cracker, Black Pepper, Allspice, Espresso, Red Grapes, Slight Dark chocolate.
Finish: Medium length finish, black pepper, Espresso, Red Grapes, Graham Cracker, slight blackberry.
Rating: 6/10
This is my first foray into Lost Lantern and my second into Westward so I was curious what I was getting into. This is a very good expression from Westward, the port finish helps to accentuate the 4 years of New oak and helps round out those oak notes, which at times are a bit powerful for my personal taste. This is well constructed and tasty with those dark savory notes being the real highlights. The reason this doesn’t rate slightly higher for me is those oak spikes which pop in and out. Overall, a very good bottling and I look forward to the smattering of Lost Lantern expressions I have on hand to try after this.
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite
10 | Perfect | Perfect
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