Westward‘s first membership launch of 2025 (unique to subscription members) is that this collaboration bottling, produced in cooperation with Oregon’s Fort George Brewery. Westward is not any stranger to brewery collabs, and Fort George has lengthy been a accomplice — although it’s by no means had its title on the label till now.
Westward x Fort George Brewery Stout Cask Single Malt Whiskey is designed to “showcase the unimaginable character of their famously scrumptious Matryoshka Stout,” and right here’s what meaning:
To develop Westward x Fort George Brewery Stout Cask, Grasp Blender Miles Munroe led a “double stouting” course of, which started by ageing mature Westward in freshly emptied stout beer casks earlier than transferring the whiskey into Fort George’s freshly returned Matryoshka Stout barrels to additional deepen the whiskey’s wealthy flavors and aromas. This unique Whiskey Membership expression is a tribute to the right Northwest pairing of whiskey and stout and a celebration of the continuing partnership between Westward and its brewing collaborators.
Grasp Blender Miles Munroe mentioned, “At Westward, we proceed to honor our historical past as ex-brewers by creating new methods to specific flavors that take Stout Cask additional than earlier than. That is new territory for this expression as we give attention to one distinct and beloved stout profile and lift the bottling proof to convey stability and extra dynamics to the spirit.”
No age statements are on supply.
We acquired a bottle, so let’s give it a attempt.
Westward x Fort George Brewery Stout Cask Single Malt Whiskey Evaluation
The nostril of the whiskey is actually stoutlike, aggressive with notes of chocolate and wealthy malt, a sharply bready expertise that slowly sinks into notes of maple syrup and raisin, very similar to a glass of that iconic beer. It’s nevertheless one thing of a pungent expertise, evoking a lot of barrel affect and a youthfulness that feels prefer it’s nonetheless creating.
The palate surprises with a rush of sweetness, once more constructing on a malty core with layers of chocolate, caramel sauce, and extra raisin notes. Notes of white pepper add a right away spiciness, adopted by cloves and a few dried tea leaf notes. Water is massively useful with this expertise — which hits the bottle at 57.5% abv — tempering the spice and char notes to coax out a stronger chocolate character, right here darkish chocolate, layered with baking spices and a Christmassy vibe that melds gingerbread and pine needles. It’s tough and rustic across the edges, significantly on the pruny, woody conclusion, however its expressiveness greater than compensates for any immaturity.
115 proof.
B+ / $100
Westward x Fort George Brewery Stout Cask Single Malt Whiskey
USD100
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