The Whiskey Reviewer A World of Whiskey, Poured Every Weekday
Next month, Westland releases the sixth edition of its award-winning Garryana American Single Malt (50%ABV, 700ml, $149.99 SRP), part of the brand’s Outpost Range collection. A continuation of Westland’s exploration of Quercus garryana, the rare oak indigenous to the Pacific Northwest, Edition 6 will comprise only 5,922 bottles released globally.
Out of the gate, Edition 6 has impressed the critics, taking home Double Gold in the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and adding to the Garryana series’ long list of accolades. “Garry Oak continues to be an exploration,” says Westland Master Blender Shane Armstrong. “Each release builds on principles learned from past iterations. The Brandy casks give a bright filter to the oak’s savory spice, while refill PX fills the seams with darker fruits. Both influence without obstructing the Garry Oak signature.”
In the 10 years since its founding, Westland’s deep connection with the Pacific Northwest produced its Outpost Range, which is rooted in true provenance, exploring the unknown possibilities left to be pursued in single malt. With Garryana, Westland explores a native species of Pacific Northwest oak in single malt whiskey. In addition to expressing provenance in whiskey, Garryana is an entirely new species of oak to the world of whiskey, where only a handful of oak species over the course of hundreds of years have been used for aging. To create this whiskey, Westland built an entire economy for sourcing this rare and protected raw material.
Garryana Edition 6 Tasting Notes
(50%ABV, 700ml, $149.99 SRP; 5,922 bottles released globally)
NOSE: Raspberry reduction, maple candy, dulce de leche, and a faint hint of clove.
PALATE: Cedar, cinnamon, dried apricot, and light caramel.
The Outpost Range features three limited-edition expressions that are released annually —Garryana, Colere, and Solum American Single Malt Whiskies. The second edition of Colere will be released in 2022; the first edition of Solum is expected to arrive in 2023.
