In addition to its proactive role locally, Westland Distillery is receiving ever greater recognition globally.
When the Covid-19 pandemic took hold at the beginning of the financial year, Westland focused exclusively on the production of hand sanitizer, which was donated to local hospitals as a priority, ultimately providing sanitizer to more than 100 organizations. In July, after the first peak of the pandemic had passed, whisky production resumed and the tasting room was reopened according to local health guidance.
In the autumn, Westland launched its new communication campaign around the Outpost Range of whiskies, including Garryana, of which Edition#5 was released in November, followed by Colere. Garryana pays tribute to the terroir of the Pacific Northwest region of the United States by utilizing casks made from wood native to this region. Demonstrating its commitment to the protection of the region’s forests (see insert), the distillery collects fallen Garry oak trees in protected forests and air-dries them for three years to make exceptional casks that infuse the spirit with unique aromas.
Last winter, Westland launched its dedicated e-commerce platform in the United States. The website gives Westland fans across the country access to the entire range. This successful launch went hand-in-hand with a wide range of digital events to further develop the brand’s reputation and appeal: virtual tours, whisky tastings, cocktail classes, virtual whisky exhibitions, and more.
During the year, Westland Distillery received two prestigious awards for Garryana Edition#5 (best American single malt of the year) and Single Cask #5410 (best American single cask single malt of the year). The communication campaign around the Outpost range also won awards in the United States and internationally.
Lastly, the cellars of the new Skagit Valley estate were developed about an hour north of the Seattle distillery. The site spans 32 hectares, a large portion of which will be dedicated to growing barley, both for research purposes and to supply the distillery. The land has already been certified "Salmon Safe", a status that guarantees the farming has no negative effects on salmon and its environment; indeed, salmon is one of the most ecologically important species in the region. Their first estate crop, expected to receive Organic certification, was planted this spring. In the long run the estate will be used to practise the most cutting-edge forms of sustainable agriculture.
Protecting Garry oak tress
As it did last year, the Westland team put on their boots and got down to work to help save the Garry oak trees in the Schibig-Lakeview Nature Preserve, 30 minutes south of the city. They had to weed around the young trees planted a few years earlier, and remove the protective tubes and ground cover that were necessary at the time.
Quercus garryana remains a rare and threatened oak species. Westland makes the casks using only trees blown down by storms or considered hazardous. But that is not enough. The distillery team is working to restore the natural environment of Garry oak trees in the Seattle region and to draw attention to the cultivation and preservation of this endangered species.
