Westward Single Barrel Sourdough American Single Malt Whiskey 700ml
American Single Malt Whiskey - 45% ABV - Fermented with Wild Sourdough Yeast

Where Artisan Bread Meets Barrel Craft

In the experimental spirit of the Pacific Northwest, Westward’s Single Barrel Sourdough release showcases the distillery’s dedication to both regional flavour and fermentation innovation. Rather than defaulting to commercial strains, this whiskey is fermented using wild sourdough yeast cultivated in-house by Westward’s team - a nod to Portland’s famed artisan bread culture and its shared roots with craft brewing.

Starting with a mash of 100 percent malted barley, the whiskey undergoes ale-style fermentation before being double pot-distilled and matured in new American oak casks. Each barrel in this series is hand-selected for its expressive, fermentation-forward character - a rare profile even within the world of American single malt.

The nose is singular and unmistakable - toasted sourdough crust, sour cherry, beeswax and orange marmalade, framed by soft vanilla and a dry oak backbone. There’s an aromatic tang that signals wild fermentation, offering a bridge between grain, yeast and wood.

The palate opens broad and savoury. Stone fruit, brown butter, lemon zest and honeyed grain play across a creamy mouthfeel. The sourdough yeast imparts a gentle funk and earthy warmth, while malt sweetness and oak spice - clove, cinnamon stick, roasted hazelnut - build in elegant layers.

The finish is long and thought-provoking - a mix of tart apple, oak char, and subtle yeast character trailing into salted caramel and toasted grain.

A Whiskey that Begins with Wildness
Westward’s use of wild yeast isn’t a novelty - it’s a calculated risk grounded in respect for flavour and fermentation. By leveraging sourdough cultures, they’ve introduced new aromatic compounds into their spirit while retaining the structural hallmarks of their malt-driven style. It’s a release that rewards curiosity and challenges convention without ever straying from craft.

Final Thought
Westward Single Barrel Sourdough is American single malt at its most expressive - a dram where fermentation takes centre stage. This is whiskey for those who enjoy the overlap between food, drink and artistry, and for anyone who believes that flavour begins at the source.