Westland Distillery’s Native Oak Series continues its exploration of Quercus garryana oak.
This September’s release of Garryana Edition 4|1 again shows how this unique Pacific Northwest oak contributes to the flavor profile of single malt whiskey, the company says. While this year’s release of Garryana includes some casks traditionally used in whiskey-making, such as first-fill ex-rye and bourbon casks, the spotlight is on the marriage of Garry oak and Pedro Ximenez Sherry casks.
For the fourth installment of Garryana, Master Distiller Matt Hofmann and Blender Shane Armstrong wanted to explore whether these two rich and assertive flavors could live together in a single whiskey.
“This year’s release continues our inquiry and plants yet another marker in unchartered territory that still seems to have no horizon,” says Hofmann. “We sought to find out what happens when two of the deepest wells of flavor combine in one bottle.”
4|1 follows the 2018 release, which comprised a series of vattings and casks finishes.
Garryana Edition 4|1 is bottled at 100 proof. On the nose is custard, blackberry syrup, dulce de leche and other slightly savory flavors, the company says, before flavors of dried blueberries, fudgesicle, fresh oak and grilled plum.
Only 3,750 bottles of Garryana 4|1 will be available in limited distribution globally. The suggested retail price is $149.99 per 750-ml. bottle.
