Hold onto your Stetsons, lockdown life is making a comeback as American whiskey experts Westward release their wild, wild sourdough blend.
The Oregonian company behind the award-winning Aviation gin – once owned by Deadpool himself, Ryan Reynolds – has been making American-style single malt whisky for a while now and earning a fair few accolades along the way.
Now they’ve decided to take a sideways step, perhaps inspired by the onslaught of baking pics we took over lockdown, and produced a sourdough whiskey. It’s getting an exclusive launch in Australia because they apparently believe we’re the kind of out-there experimenters who will drink just about anything and, look, they’re not wrong.
The drink is a collab with famed Portland baker Ken Forkish. Using Northwestern two-row malted barley and Forkish’s sourdough starter, they’ve fed their mix with about 115 litres of whiskey wash for a week before fermenting for 13 days.
The resultant liquid is pot distilled twice and matured in two-char American white oak barrels for just over three years. The whisky comes out with a bright, sharp, and spicy flavour with fruity notes of peach, pineapple, passion fruit and a woody, nutmeg finish.
Thomas Mooney, Founder and CEO of Westward says their whiskey is “born of the unique culture, climate, and abundant resources of the American Northwest.”
“All of our expressions are focused on reimagining single malt and elevating American whiskey, and the Westward Sourdough Whiskey is a creative and delicious reflection of this.”
“This particular release is a celebration of our region’s world-renowned food culture”
Outside of Oregon, Australia is the first place that the company are releasing the new tipple. Co-founder Christian Krogstad said at the Sydney release that the foodie culture and wild, rugged landscapes of Australia make it a perfect pairing for the Oregonian tipple.
Westward’s single malt is one of the highest rated whiskeys in the world, earning a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 93-points at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, 94-points from Wine Enthusiast, and top billing in the Wall Street Journal’s list of American Single Malts.
Westward Sourdough Whiskey is available on shelves in selected retailers now.
For more info check out westwardwhiskey.com
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