WESTLAND GARRYANA WHISKEY EDITION 5
This is the fifth edition of Westland Garryana, an annual
release for the Seattle-based distillery. This fifth edition is also part of
the newly announced Outpost Range, whiskeys which highlight a central raw
ingredient in single malt production with an emphasis on terroir. Garryana's
focus is the wood used in its production - Quercus garryana, a native
species of oak from the Pacific Northwest. This edition matures peated spirit
in virgin Quercus garryana (36%) and the remainder in first-fill ex-bourbon
Quercus Alba (American white oak).
Though the Garryana wood is the focus of the whisky, the dominant aroma and
flavor wafting from the glass is freshly burning leaves. Further sips reveal
sweet red apple and brown pear, black pepper and Szechuan spice mix (minus the
anise). The texture is quite creamy with a pleasant tinge of burn on the
finish.
Edition 5 has a higher percentage of Garry Oak casks in
the blend than any previous edition. Combining pale malt spirit with only
peated spirit, it is also the simplest in construction. But that simplicity
belies a depth of character that marries the unique flavors of each to create
something altogether new.
TASTING NOTES:
Nose: A sweet fragrance of cottonwood serves as the greeting followed by
Waffle Crisps cereal and rich smoked chocolate notes.
Palate: Signature barbecue notes are front and
center. It’s spicy and savory, reminiscent of burnt ends. Along with it are
notes of cacao butter, charred maple wood, and clove.
CASK TYPES: 1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Quercus alba (64%),
Virgin Quercus garryana (36%)
TOTAL BOTTLED: 5,625
FORMAT: 750ml
GRAIN BILL: Washington Select Pale Malt, Bairds
Heavily Peated Malt
CASK MATURATION TIMES: 45 Months
ABV: 50%
Enduring and stoic, Quercus garryana, the Pacific
Northwest’s native oak, stands as a testament to terroir and perseverance. Its
mighty trunk sheathed in thick, mossy bark. Its roots, like our roots, are dug
deep into the earth of this place. Above, it towers steadfast and unmoving, but
below is the persistent draw, the low churning hum of life and energy pulling
up from the soil.
Garryana American Single Malt Whiskey pursues true
provenance with the introduction of an entirely new species of oak to the world
of whiskey. In our work, we create a record of the oak’s distinctive
characteristics and reveal unique expressions of Pacific Northwest terroir.
CHARTING OAK
At Westland, we’re compelled to look out so that we might
see possibilities others don’t recognize. But seeing opportunity is not enough.
You have to have the wherewithal to do something about it.
Our native species of oak grows in a narrow band from
southern BritishColumbia to the very northern reaches of California. In
addition to its limited natural range, Garry Oak now grows in only five percent
of its former habitat. Because this oak is so rare and so difficult to find, no
system has been built for it. So we’ve had to create the supply chain from the
ground up. Working closely with our forestry experts, mills, and coopers, we’ve
been able to not only establish an economy around Garry Oak, but along the way
begin to uncover its secrets.
With Garry Oak, we’re managing a resource that is, by its
very nature, scarce—whether out in the world or in the aisles of our rackhouse.
What we have to work with one year is altogether different the next. But this
scarcity is ultimately what makes Garryana so challenging and thus so
interesting to explore.
