Celebrating a World of Flavor this International Whisky Day

March 27th marks International Whiskey Day, a tribute to the late beer and whiskey writer Michael James Jackson. Today, we raise a glass in his honor and in celebration of whisky’s remarkable breadth—the flavors it carries, the places it reflects, and the hands that shape it.

Whether you’re revisiting an old favorite, exploring a new bottle, or mixing a cocktail for a friend, we invite you to take a moment for yourself. Slow down, savor the complexity in your glass, and celebrate the unending possibilities of whiskey.

From the earliest distilleries in Scotland and Ireland to the rise of bourbons, Japanese whiskeys, and now American Single Malts, whiskey has always been a story of innovation. Yet, for decades, single malt was seen as the domain of Scotland alone. When Westland began distilling over a decade ago, American Single Malt was still a fringe idea. Today, it is a rapidly growing category—proof that exceptional whiskey is not bound by geography.

Three years ago, we set out to challenge long-standing perceptions of single malt with The Judgement of Westland, a blind-tasting series modeled after the legendary 1976 Judgement of Paris. In that historic event, California wines shocked the world by triumphing over their esteemed French counterparts, proving that world-class wine could come from anywhere. In whiskey, we saw a parallel opportunity: to prove that single malt made in America could rival the best across the world.

In real-time tastings, whiskey drinkers compared American Single Malts—including Westland’s—to celebrated global single malts from other regions in the world, including Scotland. The results were exactly what we had hoped for: a validation that American Single Malt could stand proudly on the global stage. The series earned us Campaign Innovator of the Year at the Icons of Whisky Awards, but more importantly, it put a fire under what we’ve believed all along—that whiskey’s greatness is not defined by borders or convention.

To mark this year’s International Whiskey Day, we’re unveiling a rare single cask release at our distillery: Cask No. 3205, now available at our Hand-Filled whiskey station. This special selection features a peated base spirit aged for nine years in a used Garryana oak cask. Garryana, native to the Pacific Northwest, imparts savory and peppery spice interlaced with fruit tones and a rich, earthy complexity—a perfect counterpart to the smoky depth of the peated spirit.

Expect notes of barbecue, dried peach, clove tea, and smoked dark chocolate—a testament to the unique meeting of cask, climate, and time. Visitors to the distillery can fill their own bottle directly from the cask, creating a one-of-a-kind keepsake.

If you’re in Seattle, we invite you to stop by, taste something remarkable, and raise a glass with us. And if you’re further afield, we hope you’ll celebrate wherever you are—with a whiskey that inspires you.