Months after the TTB established a recognized category for American single malt whiskey, category pioneer Westland Distillery has released its Solum American Single Malt.
Solum is the third expression in Westland’s Outpost Range of annual limited-edition releases that showcase oak (Garryana), grain (Colere) and peat (Solum), each unique to the distillery’s Pacific Northwest homeland. Solum Edition 3 features 100% Washington Peated malt, matured in a combination of new and used oak casks.
The exploration and exhibition of Pacific Northwest Peat in application to Washington-grown barley presents itself in the glass with herbal notes, the distillery notes.
“Solum contains the most obvious connection to our Pacific Northwest region, while drawing a direct line to the lineage of single malt whiskey making,” says Shane Armstrong, master blender. “So far, the flavors trend toward the earthier end of peat, moss and sage, with lighter charred wood notes. This character contrasts the medicinal and overt wood smoke found in other peated whiskies.”
Harvested from a bog approximately two hours south of Seattle, Westland departed from traditional methods of peat harvest, retrieving the peatfrom below the bog’s waterline rather than first draining and excavating the bog, the distillery reports. This harvesting process was specifically designed to preserve the bog’s ecosystem, preventing the release of greenhouse gasses and ensuring that the bog will be able to continue producing peat into the future.
“In general, Washington peat brings a depth beyond pure smoke,” says Armstrong. “Earthy is an often-evoked note, but rarely is it so visceral; sodden soil and the ferns that thrive there. In a comically linear way, the peat harvested from a bog carries that character to the whiskey. When these notes are coupled with bright fruit notes and cask contributions, they’re in a harmony that’s hard to match.”
The third iteration of Solum is similar to its predecessor, except a year older and the ex-Bourbon barrels of previous years have been replaced with Westland’s own refill casks. These bring more oak impact, and traces of the five malt character of their previous fill, the distillery reports.
When it comes to tasting profile, Armstrong notes that, “Complex fruit notes have arisen to compete with the classic smoke notes, but have yet to out-shine the phenolic feel.”
Released globally, Solum Edition 6 has a suggested retail price of $149.99 per 750-ml. bottle.