I poured this as part of our online whisky group’s 2024 holiday advent calendar; this year I helped organize things so I knew what the drams were. We had several American single malts among the 24 drams, this big wine influenced Westward was among them:

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Whisky: Westward Vintner’s Cuvée 2024

Country/Region:

ABV: 48%

Cask: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Pinot Noir

Age: N/A (Bottled 2024)

Notes: Big jammy fruits and berries with almond and frangipane— a classic Bakewell tart. The fruity almonds led to marzipan cookies, frosted cake donuts, and sponge cakes drowned in toffee and caramel with hints of chocolate fudge. Medium-bodied on the palate, a fruity deluge kicked things off until more sour herbal notes emerged. Slightly tart berries and bruised stone fruits arrived with hints of brown sugar and maple, which quickly turned woodier and more drying. Sour herbs and fruits lingered as the sugars faded, like popping a sour candy or bitter herbal tea— burdock perhaps? The finish was medium length and drying with a fermented quality, subtle fruits, burdock, and dandelion tea.

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Score: 4 (73)

Mental Image: Bakewell Tart Flavored Cough Drop

Conclusion: I found the aroma sweet and inviting with fairly clear notes and tons of fruity almond— the various wine cask maturations bordered on fruit punch while the malt delivered a pastry backbone.  Unfortunately, that was where my enjoyment ended; the mouthfeel was nice, but the flavors lacked cohesiveness, especially compared to the thickness and jammy quality of the nose. The fruits were less distinctive and faded toward an odd herbal sourness that was slightly yeasty and fermented at times.

Overall, not a boring whisky, but a bit too busy and incomplete. These Westward wine maturations have not been to my taste, but if they have been to yours then this might have more appeal as I found it fairly in line with my prior experiences.