"A true American single malt showing proof & Gusto." - whiskyadvocate.com Diageo-backed 'Distill Ventures' has been investing in startup distilleries for several years now. The world’s biggest whisky company promises capital, mentorship, sales and marketing expertise in return for equity. But not just any 'mum & dad' distillery can apply. When the planets align and the right mix of product, packaging and people are combined with ambition on a global scale, you might just get Diageo’s attention… To date, three have made the grade: Starward in Melbourne, Denmark’s Stauning and now Westward American Single Malt from Oregon. Westward debuted in 2012 when it was offered in 375ml bottles as a single barrel expression (the company had filled just five barrels at the time). With growing inventories, the whiskey is now a blend of six to eight barrels, which was always the plan according to founder and Master Distiller, Christian Krogstad. “Blends of multiple barrels not only allow for better consistency, but also enable us to take the best of each barrel and combine them" he explains. Done properly, the process allows for increased complexity. Considering the global growth in single malts, it’s no surprise Americans are now pushing their own version. But there is a solid point of difference with Westward. A craft beer background sees them employ two row barley with ale yeast and a belief that a better pot ale will translate to a better end product (if you removed the hops from Sierra Nevada you’d basically have their wash). Fermentations are long. Traditional double distillation is the norm, however their stills include a column on top of the pot filled with "copper wool” to create more copper contact and reflux. Post distillation sees the Kentucky maturation program utilising new first use two & three char 200 litre barrels (no fancy cask finishes here). Unlike many micro upstarts who are keen to mature new-make at a pace to ensure a quick turnaround on their investment, Westward chose full size barrels over smaller alternatives. While the latter accelerate ageing (especially during Oregon's hot summers), they can also leave the impression of ”forced" maturation in the flavour profile. Westward have also driven the regulatory area on minimum age requirement and taken it a step further than Scotland’s three year minimum to four years to qualify as American Single Malt. However, Krogstad adds, ”Ours is an intentionally young whiskey, roughly five years. We age in new oak barrels, and the longer it sits in there, the more it tastes like wood and the less it tastes like a grain. “ Consequently, Krogstad follows the lead of his hero, Jimmy Russell of Wild Turkey fame, picking barrels at their peak, rather than for the sake of greater age at a much higher price tag. Just like many 'young' Australian malts, it’s surprising how good the results are. Tasting note: Deep amber gold. Bold aromas of oak shavings, enticing poached fruits as well as clove and cinnamon... a touch of orange zest keeps things fresh. Air contact accents the ripe fruit aspect as peach / apricot. Lots of fruity malt to the palate countering the rich woody notes followed by hints of dried mango(?) and vanillan oak through the medium long finish. It's a hugely flavoursome, barley-forward style that maintains some of the sweet spice notes associated with Bourbon. Non chill filtered. 45% Alc./Vol.

High West is Utahs first distillery since 1870 and the worlds only ski-in gastro distillery. Hand-numbered labels adorn hand-blown glass bottles with wooden-topped cork stoppers. The whiskeys are all 46% and not chill-filtered. High West Double Rye is a marriage of a 2-year-old rye (95% rye and 5% barley) and a 16-year-old with a more conventional mash bill of 53% rye, 37% corn and 10% barley.

Michter's, a renowned American whiskey company, has a rich history dating back to 1753 when Swiss Mennonite farmer John Shenk founded the distillery in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania. Shenk's whiskey was made from rye grain, which was a favourite local crop in the Pennsylvania Blue Mountain Valley where the distillery was located. During the Revolutionary War, General George Washington purchased whiskey from Shenk's to fortify his men as they hunkered down in their camp through the long, brutal winter at Valley Forge. The Michter's Pennsylvania management would later say that Michter's was "the whiskey that warmed the American Revolution." In the mid-1800s, Pennsylvania Dutchman Abraham Bomberger purchased the distillery and it became known as Bomberger's. However, the passage of Prohibition in 1919 forced the distillery, along with other American spirits producers, to shut its doors to the public. Although the distillery did reopen after the repeal of Prohibition, it changed hands many times over the next few decades and frequently occupied a precarious financial position. In 1989, with the entire American whiskey industry suffering a prolonged downturn, Michter's then-owners declared bankruptcy and abandoned the premises, leaving its Pennsylvania operations in disrepair and the Michter's name seemingly lost to history. However, in the 1990s, Joseph J. Magliocco and his consultant and mentor Richard "Dick" Newman teamed up to resurrect Michter's. Magliocco and Newman made their first major strategic decision to resurrect Michter's in Kentucky, in the heart of the modern American whiskey industry, to ensure access to the best whiskey talent and resources available. Today, Michter's has three locations in Kentucky, including a 78,000 square foot distillery in the Shively section of Louisville, the architecturally significant Fort Nelson Building on Louisville's Museum Row and 205 acres of farm land in Springfield. Michter's is renowned for producing the best whiskey possible and they continue to honour the Michter's legacy by offering the greatest American whiskey. Michter's has come a long way since its early years in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania and its resurgence in Kentucky is a testament to the brand's commitment to quality and attention to detail. Michter's US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Sour Mash Whiskey 700ml is a small-batch, limited quantity whiskey that is distilled and bottled in Kentucky. This unique whiskey is made by taking Michter's award-winning US1 Sour Mash Whiskey and aging it for an additional period of time in a second custom-made barrel. The second barrel is assembled from 18-month air-dried wood and then toasted but not charred. Several different levels of toast for the second barrel were evaluated before Michter's production team, led by Master Distiller Dan McKee and Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson, decided on the one that would best display the elegant nuances of this remarkable whiskey. Bottled at a strength of 86 proof (43% Alcohol by Volume), Michter's US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Sour Mash Whiskey offers a unique flavour profile that is sure to impress any whiskey fan. On the palate, it offers toffee and buttery vanilla notes up front, with fragrant honey, milk chocolate and a hint of orange peel. Mid-palate, the toasty campfire notes appear and intensify the cherry and spice notes in this elegant whiskey. The first barrel used for aging this whiskey is fire-charred, new American white oak barrels, while the second barrel is a toasted barrel made from 18-month air-dried wood. Michter's US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Sour Mash Whiskey is a testament to the brand's commitment to quality and attention to detail. Its unique aging process and exceptional flavour profile make it a must-try for any whiskey enthusiast looking for a one-of-a-kind tasting experience.

Product Info: Straight Rye Whiskey has experienced a strong resurgence in the American whiskey landscape, yet Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. was making this style more than 100 years ago. This small batch, Bottled-in-Bond 100 proof straight rye whiskey pays tribute to the former Distillery owner with a unique rye whiskey reminiscent of days long past. Maker: As founding father of the bourbon industry, Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. left an indelible legacy. His dedication to distilling began at the close of the Civil War when he purchased O.F C. Distillery. There, he developed innovative techniques that are still in use today. Distillery: Made by hand, this Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey has been aged inside century old warehouses constructed by E.H. Taylor, Jr. Barrels are evaluated and selected to create a perfect blend of distinctive character that is like no other. This bourbon is a true sipping bourbon that honors the uncompromising legacy of E.H. Taylor, Jr. Tasting: Nose - Rye Spice, Dried Fruit, Fresh Dill Rye spice, pepper, and baking spice follow, providing the typical rye notes one would expect. Interestingly, delicate scents of mint and pear are interwoven adding some freshness to the aroma. Palate - Sweet, Savoury, Caramel Overtones It's hard to deny the rye spice this whiskey features, as it hits hard and fast, yet quickly becomes tempered as the palate opens up. The focus then moves to vanilla, pear, nutmeg, and a dash of pine. This whiskey also has an oily viscosity which coats the tongue in cinnamon and baking spice flavors. As an added bonus, the mouthfeel greatly enhances the whiskey and takes an already admirable palate to even greater heights. Finish - Lingering Oak, Nutmeg, Herbal The finish is especially pleasing with an oaky dryness that lingers just long enough. Its tempered oak and rye spice are nicely threaded throughout its sip, with a lovely mint, pear, and herbal accent, and an oily mouthfeel that’s icing on the cake. It showcases exactly what a classic rye profile whiskey is supposed to be, while adding a dash of uniqueness. Don’t miss a chance at grabbing a bottle and taking your time sipping it. This is a great rye that excels as a sipping rye where its virtues are fully on display. - Eric Hasman, Breaking Bourbon. "Simply spectacular!" - John Paddon, 2015 International Whisky Competition

Created in 1865, Cougar bourbon is distilled from the highest quality ingredients and is aged for a minimum of 5 years is charred oak barrels to reveal a smooth and unique flavour.

As part of the wheated bourbon family, this twelve year old W.L. Weller is aged far longer than most wheated bourbons. This offering is a smooth, easy-going and balanced offering with a beautiful deep bronze colour. Aromas of lanolin, almond, creamed corn and toasty vanilla. The mid-palate flavor is heavily wheated, layered and moderately sweet. Long, oaky, and intensely smooth finish.

Old Virginia's 12 Year Old showcases the rare quality of authentic Bourbon from Kentucky. Presented in

High West is Utahs first distillery since 1870 and the worlds only ski-in gastro distillery. Hand-numbered labels adorn hand-blown glass bottles with wooden-topped cork stoppers. The whiskeys are all 46% and not chill-filtered. High West Rendezvous Rye is a marriage of two straight rye whiskies: an exotic 6-year-old with a 95% rye and 5% barley malt mash bill, and a very rare 16-year-old with an 80% rye, 10% corn, 10% barley mash bill.

The Michter's "US 1" bottlings are so named to honour Michter’s heritage. The brand was established in 1753 as America’s first whiskey company. Washington and his troops drank Michter’s while they were hunkered down in Valley Forge. Unlike Bourbon or Rye, which, by definition, must be aged in new oak barrels, our US1 Unblended American Whiskey is aged in a way that utilizes whiskey-soaked barrels to achieve a rich and unique flavor profile. In late 2013, then Master Distiller Willie Pratt agreed to re- release our US1 Unblended American Whiskey after a nearly three- year absence from the market, deeming it "just right" and "the best it's ever been." Crucially, our US1 Unblended American Whiskey never contains grain neutral spirits - hence its "unblended" distinction. This Whiskey has deep butterscotch and vanilla notes, hints of caramel and dried fruit with a ripened fruit finish.

The Michter's "US 1" bottlings are so named to honour Michter’s heritage. The brand was established in 1753 as America’s first whiskey company. Washington and his troops drank Michter’s while they were hunkered down in Valley Forge.