AN INTRODUCTION TO WESTLAND DISTILLERY
A VAST NEW FRONTIER
Founded in 2011 by Matt Hofmann and Emerson Lamb, Westland set out to create a whiskey that captured the flavour and identity of its home region - the Pacific Northwest. From the start, their philosophy was simple but ambitious: to make whiskey that reflects place, not precedent. That vision - one rooted in a sense of place, led by flavour, and driven by a constant curiosity to ask “what if?” - has guided every step of Westland’s journey.
Up until that point, most whiskey made in the U.S. came from corn or rye. But Washington State, long celebrated for its hops and craft beer scene, is also home to some of the best barley-growing regions in the country. Pragmatically, why wouldn’t that barley be used to make whiskey? So, Matt and the team set out to put America on the Single Malt map. As one of the founding members of the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission, Westland has been instrumental in defining and legitimising the category, helping secure its official recognition in 2025. And their work has shaped how American Single Malt is understood today.
Westland’s home is Seattle’s SoDo district - a creative hub just south of the city centre. It’s an urban distillery surrounded by mountains, forests, and coastline: a reflection of the Pacific Northwest’s dramatic contrasts. The region’s cool maritime climate and long growing seasons provide ideal conditions not only for growing barley but also, conveniently, for maturing whiskey.
Beyond the city, the Skagit Valley provides the heart of Westland’s raw materials. Here, independent farmers grow heirloom barley varieties that thrive in the region’s rich alluvial soils and salty coastal air. This deep agricultural connection, combined with Seattle’s energy and innovation, defines Westland’s dual identity - a whiskey born equally of nature and culture.
Moving into the distillery itself, the connection to their surroundings is still inherently present. Fermentation uses Belgian Saison brewer’s yeast, which produces complex notes of fruit and spice and links their process to the region’s brewing heritage.
Maturation takes place in a mix of casks - ex-bourbon, ex-wine barrels, new oak, and even beer casks - each contributing its own nuance. A decade ago, Westland began working with Garryana, a rare native oak species unique to the Pacific Northwest, which imparts a singular, smoky-sweet intensity to the whiskey. The result is a spirit defined by depth, individuality, and provenance.
For a distillery making Single Malt, the idea of creating something smoky was always in the back of the team’s mind. As we’ve seen across our own Heart Cut releases, there are many ways to express smoke - and Westland wanted theirs to be authentically Pacific Northwest. Rather than importing peated malt from Scotland, as many do, their exploration of smoke began close to home. In 2016, the team began malting barley using local Washington State peat from the Olympic Peninsula - one of the few regions in the U.S. where peat can be sustainably harvested. This peat, rich in moss, sage, and Labrador Tea, gives the whiskey a distinctive herbal smokiness.
Their Solum release in 2023 marked Westland’s first fully locally peated American Single Malt - a milestone that redefined how expressive peat-smoked whisky can be. More forest floor than fireplace, Westland’s peat character balances earthiness with sweetness, creating a smoky profile that feels rooted, refined, and entirely its own.
Sustainability sits at the core of Westland’s philosophy - not as a statement, but as standard practice. By sourcing local grain, using regional peat, and working closely with farmers, they minimise transport and strengthen their connection to the land. Their focus on heirloom barley varieties also supports biodiversity and regenerative agriculture across Washington State.
This environmental awareness extends to how they produce and mature their whiskey: efficient distillation systems, mindful water management, and partnerships with cooperages that practise sustainable forestry. The result is whiskey that not only reflects the Pacific Northwest, but also respects it - a spirit built for the long term.
Other Westland expressions we enjoy
Westland American Single Malt - The Flagship
The flagship expression that started it all. Built from five different roasted barley malts and matured in multiple cask types, it captures Westland’s full spectrum of flavour - chocolate, citrus, leather, and spice all in harmony.
Westland Garryana - 6th Edition
A bold exploration of oak provenance. Matured in casks made from Garryana - a native Pacific Northwest species - it adds smoky-sweet richness, dark fruit, and spice.
