Whiskey is often a story written in amber—aged barrels and whispered secrets, with distilleries so steeped in lore they feel like shrines to tradition. But in the wild, untamed beauty of the American Northwest, where the Columbia River cuts through towering basalt cliffs and Mount Hood broods quietly under a snowcap, Westward Whiskey is flipping the script. Here, whiskey isn't bound by tradition but inspired by it, reshaped with a stubborn audacity that mirrors the region's pioneering spirit.
For over 20 years, this Oregon-based distillery has been a maverick in the craft whiskey scene, not by playing it safe, but by crafting a new lexicon for the grain-to-glass experience. Westward doesn’t just make whiskey—it makes Oregon. Every sip is a testament to the land it hails from: pure mountain water, locally malted barley, and a climate that alternates between moody rain and golden summer sun, creating a perfect storm for maturation. This is terroir in liquid form—a symphony of the Northwest's rugged landscape bottled with precision and pride.
Where tradition insists on Scotch-like restraint, Westward leans into bold experimentation. Their single malt whiskey bucks convention, treated like a fine craft beer before it matures into its richer, wilder self. Forget straight-laced austerity—this is whiskey with an edge. It’s as if a traditional single malt got tired of minding its manners, put on flannel, and picked up a guitar, all while staying true to its origins.
A New Frontier in Whiskey-Making
Westward’s creators are not your typical whiskey makers—they’re a ragtag band of innovators with résumés that read like a tasting menu of talent: former brewers, winemakers, and Michelin-trained chefs. This is no backwoods operation; it’s a whiskey dream team with over 50 years of collective experience, fueled by a restless desire to rewrite the rules. Forget cookie-cutter distilling—these artisans don’t just push boundaries; they redraw the map and set up shop where no one’s ever thought to build before.
Their inspiration? Oregon—a land that feeds creativity as well as it feeds crops. The whiskey begins its journey in the fertile fields of the Pacific Northwest, a region revered as one of the world’s finest barley producers.
Here, the golden grain grows fat and flavourful, a canvas ready for Westward’s masterful hands. But these visionaries aren’t content to stop at raw materials. Leaning on their craft-brewer roots, they transform that barley into a flavourful American Ale before it even thinks about becoming whiskey. It’s the kind of ingenuity you’d expect from beer country royalty, but here, it sets the stage for a spirit that shuns tradition in favor of true craftsmanship.
The result? A whiskey with a backbone of ale-borne complexity, brimming with malt-forward flavors that sing of the region’s brewing pedigree. This isn’t whiskey that quietly nods to its ingredients—it belts out its origins in a symphony of malt, fruit, and spice. You can taste the brewer’s touch, the chef’s finesse, and the winemaker’s reverence for balance and patience.
Distilled Like a Single Malt
Twice-distilled in custom, low-reflux pot stills, Westward Whiskey doesn’t just whisper its craftsmanship—it practically shouts it from the mountaintops. This isn’t a delicate sip of subtlety; it’s a brash, flavour-packed experience that leaves no doubt it’s been handcrafted to perfection. By retaining a robust body and rich grain-forward character, this spirit delivers a reminder with every sip: you’re drinking something unapologetically Oregon—wild, untamed, and full of personality.
Aged Like a Bourbon
Here’s where things get seriously decadent. Westward takes a classic bourbon-inspired path, resting its spirit in new American oak barrels that are heavily toasted and lightly charred. It’s the perfect balancing act—fire meets finesse. The oak lends brooding nuances of caramel, vanilla, and toasted spice, a marriage of sweetness and structure that transforms the whiskey into something far greater than the sum of its parts.
But the magic doesn’t stop there. When these barrels are mingled in small batches, they come together to create a symphony that’s both layered and daring—earthy malt notes mingling with bright fruitiness, spicy warmth, and a whisper of woodsmoke. It’s a deliberate departure from tradition, yet it’s rooted in the fundamentals of great whiskey-making: patience, precision, and just the right amount of swagger.
Whiskey Meets Coffee: A Match Made in Oregon
When whiskey meets coffee, two of our favourite elixirs, magic happens. Add in a whiskey barrel-aged strong ale, and you’re venturing into a realm where taste buds throw a victory parade. Westward’s latest bold collaboration with Stomping Ground and Proud Mary Coffee isn’t just a pairing—it’s a masterclass in flavour synergy, a whiskey that’s as daring as it is delicious.
This isn’t your run-of-the-mill whiskey-and-beer pairing—it’s a full-fledged trifecta of flavor and an entirely new masterpiece. Westward’s boundary-breaking whiskey brings the boldness, Stomping Ground’s whiskey barrel-aged strong ale adds depth and character, and Proud Mary’s coffee mastery ties it all together with a rich, velvety finesse. The result? A symphony of flavour that hits all the right notes—bold, balanced, and harmoniously unforgettable.
From the very first inhale, this expression sets the stage for an experience that’s anything but ordinary. Imagine strawberries and cream waltzing hand in hand with toasted almond, mint, and a delicate hint of walnut. It’s both familiar and intriguing, like a memory of summer mornings in the countryside bottled up and unleashed with each swirl of the glass.
The real fireworks begin on the palate. Sweet cocoa and ripe blueberry flavors hit first, mingling with rich toffee in a way that feels decadent yet not overindulgent. Then comes the twist: a subtle whisper of grain and beer that ties it all together, grounding the sweetness and adding complexity.
If flavours were personalities, this would be the life of the party—the one who effortlessly charms with a dessert platter in one hand and a dry wit in the other.
The finish does not let you off easy—and thank goodness for that. Big coffee notes linger like a warm embrace, complemented by roasted nuts, zesty citrus, and a touch of dark chocolate. It’s as if the drink is urging you to take a moment, savor the journey, and then reach for another sip.
At a veritably punchy ABV of 50% ABV, this whiskey does not shy away from making an impression. It’s bold, robust, and unapologetically Northwest, like the rugged terrain that inspired its creation.
What makes this collaboration truly special is the way it celebrates craft from every angle. Westward’s whiskey, already renowned for its complex earthy and fruity profile, pairs effortlessly with Stomping Ground’s barrel-aged strong ale, which has soaked up layers of caramel, oak, and a touch of boozy warmth. Proud Mary Coffee, meanwhile, brings a roasted richness that elevates the pairing into something truly transcendent.
On terra australis, this exquisite limited, little number is available exclusively via Barrel and Batch.
Whether you’re celebrating their trailblazing legacy or savoring one of their bold, limited-edition creations, one thing is certain: Westward Whiskey doesn’t just raise the bar—they’ve taken it, toasted it in American oak, and turned it into something extraordinary.
Here’s to 20 years of breaking traditions, redefining whiskey, and bottling the untamed spirit of Oregon.
Cheers to whiskey done the Northwest way—bold, beautiful, and undeniably unforgettable!
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Words by AW.
Photos courtesy of Westward Distillery.