Contents
Westland’s third release, First Peated showcased the other two grain bills that would define Westland for years to come: Washington Select Pale Malt and Peated Malt, both again aged in new American oak.
Specifications
- Grain Bill:
- Bairds Heavily Peated Malt - stated as “50ppm Peated Malt”
- Washington Select Pale Malt
- Cask Type: New American Oak, #4 Char
- Maturation Time: 24 Months
Release Info
- Spirit Type: American Single Malt Whiskey
- Release Name: First Peated
- Release Date: February 2014
- ABV: 46%
- Size: 750ml
- Total Bottled: 700
From the Distillery
- Release Number: 0003
- “The first peated expression of our house style has been long anticipated. Our long, patient wait has been rewarded with this limited special release of just 700 bottles. It serves as a prelude to Westland’s Peated Malt Whiskey, which will soon become a mainstay in the distillery’s regular lineup of American Single Malt Whiskies. First Peated began its life as a mash of two separate malts before maturing in charred new American oak. The first was a heavily peated barley malt, among the smokiest found in the new world. The second was our signature Washington Select pale malt. These malts come together here to produce an exceptionally balanced and flavorful peated malt whiskey. One we’re proud to offer as our first.”
- Flavor Profile: “The initial nose on this whiskey comprises a unique spectrum of flavor notes. Pomegranate and iodine. Moss and sage. Tar and tangerine. All of these aromas fuse together to give us a profile that is greater than the sum of its parts. The palate reveals chocolate mousse, smoldering peat, leather, warm cinnamon muffin and grapefruit.
Extended time brings out aromas of damp earth, shortbread and chocolate fondue poured over cantaloupe. The palate sees more peat bliss now accompanied by the aroma of a campfire and sea spray with Rainier cherries and chocolate covered espresso beans on the finish.”
On the Label
- “Our peated whiskey is a vatting of two separate New Make spirits. The first is a mash of peated malt, among the smokiest produced in the new world. The second comes from a mash of 100% Washington Select pale malt. When brought together we have a single malt whiskey encompassing a wide spectrum of peaty and smokey flavors without overwhelming the palate. The peat character is sturdy enough to satisfy the cravings of those looking for a solid dose of smoke while the pale malt component contributes grainy and fruity notes for those looking for something more familiar in the glass. Westland’s Peated Malt is filled into a variety of oak, including 1st-fill ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry casks, encouraging a controlled and even maturation. The result is a flavorful, multi-dimentionsal yet balanced peated single malt.”
Awards
- International Wine & Spirit Competition 2014 - Silver
Links
- Westland Distillery: First Peated (archive.org)
- Seattle Met: Westland Distillery Releases a Peated Whiskey