Westland Beer Cask Single Malt 700ML

Westland Beer Cask Single Malt 700ML is a 46% ABV American single malt whiskey finished in a range of Pacific Northwest beer casks. What distinguishes this expression from typical cask-finished whiskeys is its use of six different beer barrel types Scotch Ale, Stout, Brown Ale, Doppelbock, Saison, and Stock Ale sourced through Westland’s collaborative Cask Exchange Program with Washington State breweries.

Quick Facts: ABV: 46% (92 proof) | Origin: Seattle, Washington, USA | Minimum 8 Years Maturation | Distillery: Westland Distillery

Production & Heritage

Westland Distillery was founded in 2010 in Seattle, Washington, and acquired by Rmy Cointreau in 2017. The distillery has earned serious critical recognition, with expressions like Garryana named third-best whiskey in the world by Whisky Advocate. The Beer Cask expression starts with a five-malt grain bill Washington Select Ale Malt, Munich Malt, Extra Special Malt, Brown Malt, and Pale Chocolate Malt initially matured in a combination of Cooper’s Reserve New American Oak, Cooper’s Select New American Oak, first-fill ex-bourbon, and first-fill ex-rye casks for a minimum of eight years. It then undergoes secondary maturation across the six beer barrel types, all sourced from Washington breweries through the distillery’s Cask Exchange Program, in which brewers and winemakers make reciprocal barrel exchanges with Westland. This multi-source approach to finishing rather than relying on a single brewery’s casks produces a layered complexity that reflects the broader Pacific Northwest brewing landscape.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dried peach and honeydew melon lead, followed by eggnog cake and cocoa powder. There is a subtle malty warmth underneath, nodding to the beer cask influence without overwhelming the whiskey’s core character.

Taste: The entry is rich with vanilla pastry cream and caramel sauce, giving way to a mid-palate of lavender green tea and roasted coffee. Dark chocolate emerges toward the peak alongside a quiet hoppy bitterness that anchors the sweetness. The five-malt grain bill provides a sturdy, bready backbone throughout.

Finish: Smooth and layered, with malt-driven sweetness lingering alongside traces of dark chocolate and subtle hop resin. The finish is medium-long and gently drying, with the various beer cask influences merging into a cohesive, satisfying close.

How to Drink Beer Cask

Neat is the ideal starting point the 46% ABV delivers full flavor without excessive heat, and a few drops of water can open up the cocoa and melon aromatics further. For cocktails, the beer cask character brings unusual depth: try it in an Old Fashioned, where the chocolate and malt notes play beautifully against bitters and orange peel; a Rob Roy, where the caramel and pastry cream complement sweet vermouth; or a Whiskey Sour, where the dried fruit and hop-touched bitterness balance the citrus and egg white.

Best For

• Craft beer enthusiasts exploring the intersection of brewing and distilling
• Gifting to an American single malt collector seeking a distinctive cask finish
• After-dinner sipping alongside chocolate desserts or coffee
• Tasting alongside Westland’s other cask-finished expressions to compare influence

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Westland Beer Cask taste like? The dominant profile is rich and malt-forward, with vanilla pastry cream, dark chocolate, caramel, and roasted coffee complemented by subtle hoppy bitterness from the beer cask finishing. Dried peach and honeydew melon add unexpected fruit complexity.

How does Westland Beer Cask compare to New Riff Single Malt? Both are respected American single malts, but they diverge significantly in approach New Riff focuses on straightforward new oak maturation and a traditional malted barley profile, while Westland Beer Cask uses a five-malt grain bill and six different beer cask finishes for a more layered, experimental result. New Riff tends toward a leaner, spicier character, whereas Westland leans richer and more dessert-driven.

Is Westland Beer Cask good for sipping neat? Yes at 46% ABV and with at least eight years of maturation, it delivers complex flavor without excessive alcohol burn. The multi-layered beer cask influence rewards patient, undiluted exploration.

Where is Westland Beer Cask made? It is distilled and matured at Westland Distillery in Seattle, Washington, which is owned by Rmy Cointreau. The beer casks used in finishing are sourced from multiple breweries across Washington State through the distillery’s Cask Exchange Program.

What foods pair well with Westland Beer Cask? Dark chocolate truffles mirror the cocoa and malt notes naturally. Aged Gouda or Gruyre complement the caramel and vanilla sweetness. Smoked salmon works with the malty backbone and subtle bitterness. Pecan pie echoes the nutty, dessert-forward palate. Coffee-rubbed pork belly bridges the roasted coffee and rich malt character.

What sizes does Westland Beer Cask come in? The standard release is available in the 700ml bottle size.

Is Westland Beer Cask worth the price? This expression positions in the premium tier of American single malts, and the minimum eight-year age statement, five-malt grain bill, and multi-source beer cask finishing program justify its place there. For drinkers interested in the convergence of craft beer and whiskey, it represents genuine substance rather than gimmick.

Why Beer Cask?

The defining differentiator here is scope where most beer-cask-finished whiskeys rely on barrels from a single brewery, Westland draws from six distinct beer styles across multiple Washington State producers, creating a composite portrait of Pacific Northwest brewing culture layered over mature American single malt. The minimum eight-year maturation gives the spirit a depth and integration that younger cask-finished releases rarely achieve. Westland Distillery has established itself as one of the most critically respected names in American single malt, with Whisky Advocate recognition across its portfolio lending credibility to every release. The Beer Cask expression captures what the distillery does best: grounding experimental cask work in serious, well-aged whiskey.