Westland Peated American Single Malt Whiskey
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Westland Peated is the truest to tradition but still reflects a unique perspective on the world’s oldest style of whiskey. Unlike traditional peated whiskies which use 100% peated malt, we balance the smoke with rich barley character by introducing non-peated malts—most grown in WA State—in a ratio that actually outweighs the peated malt.
Founded in 2010, Seattle’s Westland Distillery has quickly become recognized as the country’s leading producer of American Single Malt Whiskey. While the distillery uses the same basic ingredients and processes used for centuries by traditional Old World single malt producers, it doesn’t simply seek to replicate the results of its Scottish predecessors. Instead, Westland works to create whiskies that reflect the distinct qualities of their time, place and culture in the Pacific Northwest.
“We honor the central traditions of whiskey-making that have been in place for hundreds of years,” says Co-Founder and Master Distiller Matt Hofmann who was named one of Forbes Magazine’s 2015 Thirty Under 30 in America, and Wine Enthusiast’s 2016 Forty Under 40 Tastemakers. “But rather than trying to mimic the character of Scotch whisky, our goal is to express our own unique terroir to bring a new and uniquely American voice to the world of single malts.”
Inspired by Pacific Northwest beer culture, Westland uses 100% malted barley, roasted to bring a unique flavors of chocolate and coffee. The distillery is also working with local farmers and maltsters in the Pacific Northwest, to develop entirely new varieties of barley never-before used in whiskey. “Our aim is to create single malt whiskey that has a real sense of place. Because Washington State is a such rich, fertile region for barley farming, it’s only natural they we pursue single malt whiskey here,” explains Hofmann.