"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.

Coors is one of the most popular beers in the United States, it's a premium, refreshing beer light in colour & body, and high in carbonation with subtle fruit notes of apple and banana.

The story of Sokol Bloser first began in 1971 when Susan Sokol and Bill Blosser first planted vines in Oregon's Dundee Hills. Alex & Alison Sokol Blosser, Siblings, Co-Presidents, and Second Generation Winegrowers, are passionately committed to their families legacy in creating world class wines using sustainable methods. From the start, the Sokol Blosser family was aware of the impact that farming and wine production would have on the environment. Before it was popular, the winery did everything it could to give back to the land. The Sokol Blossers knew preserving the land would help the winery remain family-owned for generations to come. The 2018 Orchard Block Pinot Noir has notes of tobacco, pomegranate, raspberry and black cherry on the nose, as well as a subtle hint of chantrelle and nutmeg. On the palate, pomegranate and raspberry shine through with red cherries and a subtle dash of clove. A delicate Pinot Noir, the 2018 Orchard Block has lower tannins and brighter acidity. This wine pairs with creamy dishes such as Cacio e Pepe and mushroom dishes like wild mushroom risotto or roasted cauliflower with truffles.

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is a delightful example of the classic pale ale style. It has a deep amber colour and an exceptionally full-bodied, complex character. The fragrant bouquet and spicy flavour are the results of the generous use of the best Cascade hops.

This rich in flavour beer was brewed using a perfect blend of carefully selected hops. True to form, we couldn’t just settle for a straight XPA, so we added grapefruit to the mix, creating a smashable thirst-quencher.

A small batch New Western Style Dry Gin, made in Portland, Oregon. It is thought to be the first true partnership between distiller and bartender. Leading US mixologist Ryan Magarian, its creator, describes it as a “botanical democracy” of juniper, cardamom, coriander, lavender, anise seed, sarsaparilla and dried orange peel.

Tooheys Old is a robustly flavoured Ale made with top fermentation Ale yeast. The beer is lightly hopped, and gets its darker colour from black malt. Fruity Ale-like esters blend well with subtle hoppiness, hints of coffee and chocolate to deliver a unique beer.

Tooheys Extra Dry is Australia's fifth highest selling beer (Nielsen April 2010) and is well known for its clean, crisp taste. Its dry finish is achieved by an extended fermentation, ensuring minimal residual fermentable sugars. Wonderful fruity, malty notes accompany a mellow middle palate, leaving a clean aftertaste.

Mild Ale is brewed with a selection of barley and wheat malt, and with no added sugar. This traditional brewing approach provides the smooth malt character which is balanced by a triple hopping with Pride of Ringwood and Saaz hops. The brew is fermented similarly to its stablemates Pale and Sparkling Ale, with the customary secondary fermentation in the bottle.

Carlton Dry's extended brewing process removes excess sugars creating a smooth, crisp finish with lower carbohydrates than a full strength beer. A clean, crisp and incredibly refreshing lager that is perfect drinking in the summer sunshine or equally good at home.