Westward Launches World First Sourdough Whiskey In Australia
โ€” Updated on 17 June 2021

Westward Launches World First Sourdough Whiskey In Australia

โ€” Updated on 17 June 2021
Chris Singh
WORDS BY
Chris Singh

American single malt Westward, and their local distributor Think Spirits, have launched the worldโ€™s first sourdough whiskey in Australia. Teaming up with award-winning baker Ken Forkish from Portland, Oregon, the 17 year old distillery has landed on a recipe that they are claiming is their โ€œmost creative and innovative [release] to dateโ€.

The Westward Sourdough Whiskey uses a sourdough levian sourced from Forkish as the wild yeast strain, with 100% Northwest two-row malted barley and a 13 day fermentation process. The result? Apparently a whiskey of considerable fruit-forward notes, with the official tasting notes describing a palate of juicy peach, coconut, macaroons and melon, and a finish of sandalwood, nutmeg and orange peel.

Westwards Head Distiller Miles Munroe propagated the sourdough starter with 30 gallons of whisky wash for one week before beginning the fermentation process, which Westward claim is their longest and most challenging to date. The output has been twice pot distilled before being matured in 2-char, kiln dried 53-gallon new American oak barrels for three years.

As with previous Westward Whiskey releases, there seems to be an absolute dedication to showcasing the flavours of the American Northwest, which Westward founder Thomas Mooney described as a โ€œfruitful conclusion of a creative journey that Ken Forkish and Westward founder and master distiller Christian Krogstad started over a few glasses of American single malt back in 2017โ€.

While the Westward Sourdough Whiskey has been available in the distilleryโ€™s hometown of Portland for quite some time, Australia is actually the first international market to receive the expression.

The release date for Westward Sourdough Whiskey is set as โ€œFebruary 2021โ€, although no exact date has actually been specified. Iโ€™ve looked on BWS and Dan Murphyโ€™s and the bottle doesnโ€™t yet appear to be available so itโ€™s safe to expect this at least towards the end of the month.

When it is available in Australia, a 45% ABV, 700ml bottle of the Westward Sourdough Whiskey will set you back $165.

If youโ€™re keen on buying a bottle of Westward Sourdough Whisky youโ€™re going to need some primo glassware to drink from. Check out this buyerโ€™s guide for the 12 best whisky glasses in 2021.

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Chris Singh
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Chris is a freelance Travel, Food, and Technology writer. He has had work published by The AU Review, Junkee Media and Australian Traveller Media and holds tertiary qualifications in Psychology and Sociology.

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