Westland on the Global Whiskey Stage: Seattle Born, Globally Recognized

Westland was founded upon an audacious vision: to create an American Single Malt that could stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best whiskeys. From the beginning, we believed two things.

First, that single malt whiskey is not a fixed idea, but a vast expanse of possibilities—an opportunity to write a new chapter in whiskey history. Second, that whiskey is a direct reflection of place, capturing not just its environment, but the culture and spirit of the people who make it.

Our pursuit of these beliefs propels us forward. And so, we set out from Seattle, with ambition and resolve, to shape our own New West in whiskey.

It was provenance that led us to American Single Malt; the Pacific Northwest was our starting point. Fertile farmland, mountain-fresh water, and a perfectly temperate maritime climate were our compass. This place has always been the heartbeat of our whiskeys.

Over the years, we have cultivated relationships with regional farmers and boutique maltsters, collaborating to grow diverse barley varieties rooted in sustainable agriculture. We worked with our own regional supply chain to help develop the first peated malt in North America, drawing from local peat bogs to explore flavors unique to our region.

And, perhaps most importantly, we discovered Garryana oak—our native Quercus garryana. Unique and endemic to the Northwest region, Garryana oak was something we chased after, curious to see how it would compare to its white oak counterpart that grows in the middle of the United States. Well, we had no idea what we were in for, and Garryana casks proved to reveal entirely new flavors, unlike anything found in the US or even Europe or Japan. With Garryana, we found the soul of our terroir made tangible.

In just over a decade, Westland has charted an extraordinary path. Our Heritage Range whiskeys led us to our house style, which is now showcased in our Flagship whiskey. The Outpost Range expressions showcased distinct facets of the Northwest—Garryana, Colere, and Solum. Collaborations with local breweries and wineries through Beer and Wine Cask Finishes extended our exploration, marrying whiskey with the creative energy of our region.

Along the way, Westland has earned accolades and acclaim across the globe, placing American Single Malt in conversation with Scotland, Ireland, and Japan. What began as a small experiment in Washington State now stands recognized as one of the world’s most exciting whiskeys. While we admire how far we have come, we see signs of a journey still unfolding, with horizons waiting to be reached.

Westland’s exploration of Garryana began in 2011 with a single cask. From that moment, we recognized its extraordinary potential—not just for the bold flavors it imparts, but for its ability to embody the Pacific Northwest in liquid form.

Working with this rare oak was no small endeavor. Sustainable sourcing required years of partnerships, careful stewardship, and long-term commitments to forest conservation. With each release, we laid down more casks, watching the oak evolve over time, revealing new layers of flavor, new depths of expression.

Over the past decade, each Garryana Edition has built upon the last, growing in anticipation and acclaim. This year on the journey, we reach a milestone.

This October, we release the 10th Edition of Garryana: Aged 10 Years. For the first time, Westland presents an age-stated whiskey—one that honors the patience and persistence that have defined our pursuit of Garryana.
This bottling is a marker in time and a testament to the power of place. This release shows our conviction that whiskey reflects its environment and its makers. And in this release, while we celebrate a decade of Garryana, we also recognize that our journey is only beginning. There is still much to discover in whiskey.

Pacific Northwest born and globally recognized, Westland stands at the frontier of whiskey. This ambition is what led us to believe in American Single Malt. While the craft distillery boom quickly took after imitation, our vision remained simple: to tell the story of this specific time and place. One cask, one bottle at a time.

From the mist of the Northwest to the world’s stage, we move ever forward.

Garryana 10 Year will be available October 18. Discover the whiskey that put us on the global whiskey map.