Westland Garryana 2017 Review

Westland Garryana 2017

I’m a big fan of Westland and I find it a bit funny that the first review of theirs I’m doing is the Westland Garryana 2017. I could have sworn I’ve reviewed at least one other bottle, but the archives turns up exactly zero. My notebooks contain another 5 or 6 releases, but here on the site this is the inaugural review for this distillery… and what release to be reviewing.

If you’re not familiar with these releases (this being the second) Garryana refers to the type of oak used. Garryana is an oak variety that only grows in the Pacific Northwest and delivers a completely different profile to a whiskey than the more commonly used Quercus Alba. It’s also a bit rare; Garry currently only resides in 5% of its former habitat making it not just difficult to find, but expensive to boot and whiskey made from it both expensive and rare.

Westland Garryana 2017 Review: Details and Tasting Notes

In Westland’s Words: Westland Garryana 2017

“NOSE: Clove, nutmeg and honeycomb start on the nose followed by darker notes of mocha and wood smoke before opening up to candied ginger and dried tropical fruits.

PALATE: Garry Oak’s signature flavors of molasses and BBQ smoke lead with notes of mouth-coating espresso, blueberry ice cream and subtle citrus joining.”

Westland Garryana 2017 price, ABV, age and other details

Region: Washington, USA

Distiller: Westland
Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley (Washington Select Pale, Munich, Extra Special, Pale Chocolate & Brown Malt)
Cask: 21% Garryana, 52% ex-Bourbon, 27% virgin oak
Age: NAS (38 months min age of whiskeys blended)
ABV: 50%

Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Batch: 2 (2017)

Price: $140

Westland Garryana 2017 Tasting Notes

EYE
Dark reddish brown

NOSE
Malt, cocoa, coffee, dark fruit, vanilla, dried strawberry and a touch of spice and oak.

PALATE
Oak, malt, cinnamon, dark fruit, vanilla, cocoa, clove and a roasty overtone.

FINISH
Long -> oak, malt, vanilla, molasses, clove and cocoa.

BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Decent balance, medium body and light oily feel.

Westland Garryana 2017 Review: OVERALL

Westland Garryana 2017 Review

Westland Garryana 2017 is lovely. It carries a rich profile across the senses and brings with it an array of dark sweet and earthy notes. There are some nice layers of complexity that open with a bit of time, air, or a couple drops of water, which reveal a spirit that’s unique and interesting. I never reviewed the 2016, but I got to try it several times at different events and I thought it was nice, but I like this edition more. Overall, I think the 2017 has more to offer.

SCORE: 87-89/100 (B+, not consumed at home)