Westland Sherry Wood

Westland Sherry Wood, 2+ YO, 46 %

This is my second review of a whiskey from Westland (see here for the previous one). The Westland Sherry Wood has been matured for a minimum of 24 months. It was first released in December 2014.

The grain bill for the Westland Sherry Wood is as follows:

• Washington Select Pale Malt

• Munich Malt

• Extra Special Malt

• Pale Chocolate Malt

• Brown Malt

The cask types used in the maturation are:

• Ex-Oloroso Hogsheads and Butts

• Ex Pedro Ximénez Hogsheads and Butts

• Cooper's Select New American Oak

• Cooper's Reserve New American Oak

You can buy the Westland Sherry Wood straight from the distillery at USD 70 for a bottle.

Nose: Initially more closed and shy than the Westland American Oak. So, let's give it a few minutes and see what happens. Oh, that worked a charm, I would say. Now we have a nose that is certainly quite similar to that of the American Oak expression, but with added dried fruits and a deeper sweetness. So, demerara sugar, cinnamon, nuts, and dried fruits (raisins and dates).

Taste: Quite rich mouthfeel. Ginger, cinnamon, dried fruits a dry-ish oakiness.

Finish: Medium to short finish. Warm and spicy. Dry notes of wood chips, mixed with dried fruits and caramel.

Comments: Again a very decent dram from Westland, although not quite at the level of the American Oak.

Score (86/100)

Sláinte!
- Thomas