Whisky : Westland 2019 Summer Barley Series #2: Pilsen

Country/Region : US/Washington

ABV : 59.8%

Cask : First Fill Ex-Bourbon (Heaven Hill)

Age : 4 Years 2 Months.

Nose :  Rich blend of cream and citrus notes.  Vanilla buttercream frosting, orange cream, and limoncello take center stage.  A grainy sweetness slowly takes holds occasionally giving way to pastries: sweetened oats, almond croissants, macarons, semolina, and soft pretzels.

Palate :  Medium body, lighter on the front with a heavier finish.  Whole grain toast, yeast, butter rolls, pão dolce, and a bit of nuttiness— the pastry and sweet grain notes on the nose come on strong.  Cream of wheat, oranges, apricot jelly, and tart cranberries take this dram straight toward a well balanced breakfast.

Finish :  Lingering dry sweetness.

Score : 6

Mental Image : Whole Wheat Toast with Preserves.

Something Better : Caol Ila 5 Year; Maltman (similar pretzel/spicy fruit, more grill and chocolate)

Something Similar : Westland 2019 Golden Promise (similar pastry notes, sweeter, more citrus)

Something Worse : Michel Couvreur Overaged (similar nuttiness and pastries, more almond on palate)

Notes : A fascinating dram fermented and mashed from four pale malt barley varietals: Avalon, Catamaran, Solist, and Quench.  This single cask was released as part of Westland’s 2019 Summer Barley series in which the distillery released three casks distilled from different, atypical—at least for single production— varietals of barley.  This was the second in the series sandwiched between Maris Otter and Golden Promise (prior review here).  I really enjoyed the intriguing mix of a bakery hard at work with lovely hints of fruits— indeed, I got a very similar impression from the Golden Promise bottling as well.

Ultimately, while I did enjoy this bottle, I do think it makes for a more intriguing blend/vatting component than it necessarily stands on its own (though I love the concept of bottling different barley varietals and I hope Westland continues it.)  It is hard not to compare this to the Golden Promise, their profiles share a lot of elements.  I think overall the Golden Promise was a bit more complex; in addition to its heady bakery notes it had an earthy sweetness that added a bit more depth.

I love a good Pilsner and now I know I love a good Pilsen single malt as well.

Picture Credit : Westland Distillery