Table Of Contents

The Details

Rating 88
Style
Whiskey
Produced In Washington
United States
ABV 50%
Availability Limited
Price $150.00 
Reviewed By
Reviewed 2025-04-01

Westland Solum Edition 3 American Single Malt Whiskey Review

Seattle-based Westland Whiskey is a decades-old single malt producer that’s no stranger to experimental liquid streams. Indeed, the brand’s Outpost Range collection of whiskeys showcases expressions across three types of flavor contributors from the Pacific Northwest: oak (including their annual Garryana release), grain, and peat.

The latest such release is Solum Edition 3, which focuses on peat. In this case, it’s whiskey made from 100 percent Washington state peated malt. That grain is smoked with peat harvested from bogs south of Seattle. Westland is quick to highlight the peat is harvested from below the waterline rather than the more traditional method of draining prior to harvest, the former method carrying a softer environmental impact.

After distillation, the whiskey is aged for a minimum of 48 months (four years) in a combination of new and used oak barrels. Solum Edition 3 is a year older than Edition 2, and this time, the used barrels are Westland’s own refill casks instead of ex-bourbon barrels.

Let’s see how it tastes!

Westland Solum Edition 3 American Single Malt Whiskey review.

Westland Solum American Single Malt Whiskey: Stats and Availability

Westland is distributed across most major United States markets, though this limited edition, annual release is only available in “key markets.” Westland hasn’t provided much more information beyond that, and we also don’t know the exact bottle count. However, Solum certainly exists at the premium end of the distillery’s range, with an MSRP of about $150 for a 700-milliliter bottle. That said, as with most American single malts, I don’t (yet) expect this to command a significant markup above suggested retail.

Westland Solum American Single Malt Whiskey Review

As with all of VinePair’s whiskey reviews, this was tasted in a Glencairn glass and rested for at least five minutes.

Nose

The nose kicks off with light grilled and smoked fruit, like halved peaches charred on a charcoal grill. It’s just moderately smokey — more cooked fruit than creosote. Aromas of hardened caramel candy, almond cookies, and toasted Hawaiian sweet rolls round out first impressions on the nose.

A little more time in the glass brings light minerality paired with oak; I can’t help but think of a barrel warehouse on the Pacific coast. The nose takes an additional (and final) sweet turn toward cinnamon-dusted baked apples.

It’s difficult for most to sample any peated American single malt without thinking of Islay Scotch. It’s almost certainly an unfair comparison, though if we’re to make it, this latest from Westland is not quite as complex as some of its older brethren across the pond, lacking the weaving intricacy of many peated Scotches. But that doesn’t mean it lacks depth, and there’s plenty to like even before taking a sip.

Taste

Far oakier and less fruity than on the nose, it takes me a couple sips to acclimate; there’s a hefty amount of wood here, and not as much as I expected in the realm of grilled and/or tropical fruits. Cinnamon, birch bark, toasted oak staves, burnt mesquite, and pine dominate the early palate, followed by more baking spice.

On the third or fourth taste, white grape jelly and green melon candy build in conjunction with continued cinnamon. Rustic apple cider joins right along the midpalate, which, along with oak, stays a dominant flavor throughout the rest of the sip.

Finish

The finish is somewhat oily, coating the tongue and upper palate in a thin layer that conveys more (and to be clear, pleasant) wood flavors for 30 seconds or more after the sip. I do wonder if that slick layer dulled some more delicate flavors here, as there’s a significant dropoff in both fruit and smoke.

Westland Solum American Single Malt Whiskey Rating

88/100

Recap

Westland’s latest experiment with peat yields some tasty flavor, and it’s an overall pleasant sipping experience, especially for single malt fans. I wouldn’t call it the distillery’s most complex or boldest accomplishment to date, and I’d be curious what this same distillate tastes like after six or seven years; peated malt often goes in interesting directions with age. To that end, fingers crossed Westland has some more casks from this run tucked away for extended aging. I’ll be ready.

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88
POINTS
Westland Solum Edition 3 American Single Malt Whiskey
Seattle-based Westland Whiskey is a decades-old single malt producer that’s no stranger to experimental liquid streams. Indeed, the brand’s Outpost Range collection of whiskeys showcases expressions across three types of flavor contributors from the Pacific Northwest: oak (including their annual Garryana release), grain, and peat. The latest such release is Solum Edition 3, which focuses on peat. In this case, it’s whiskey made from 100 percent Washington state peated malt. That grain is smoked with peat harvested from bogs south of Seattle. Westland is quick to highlight the peat is harvested from below the waterline rather than the more traditional method of draining prior to harvest, the former method carrying a softer environmental impact. After distillation, the whiskey is aged for a minimum of 48 months (four years) in a combination of new and used oak barrels. Solum Edition 3 is a year older than Edition 2, and this time, the used barrels are Westland’s own refill casks instead of ex-bourbon barrels. Let’s see how it tastes! Westland Solum Edition 3 American Single Malt Whiskey review.

Westland Solum American Single Malt Whiskey: Stats and Availability

Westland is distributed across most major United States markets, though this limited edition, annual release is only available in “key markets.” Westland hasn’t provided much more information beyond that, and we also don’t know the exact bottle count. However, Solum certainly exists at the premium end of the distillery’s range, with an MSRP of about $150 for a 700-milliliter bottle. That said, as with most American single malts, I don’t (yet) expect this to command a significant markup above suggested retail.

Westland Solum American Single Malt Whiskey Review

As with all of VinePair’s whiskey reviews, this was tasted in a Glencairn glass and rested for at least five minutes.

Nose

The nose kicks off with light grilled and smoked fruit, like halved peaches charred on a charcoal grill. It’s just moderately smokey — more cooked fruit than creosote. Aromas of hardened caramel candy, almond cookies, and toasted Hawaiian sweet rolls round out first impressions on the nose. A little more time in the glass brings light minerality paired with oak; I can’t help but think of a barrel warehouse on the Pacific coast. The nose takes an additional (and final) sweet turn toward cinnamon-dusted baked apples. It’s difficult for most to sample any peated American single malt without thinking of Islay Scotch. It’s almost certainly an unfair comparison, though if we’re to make it, this latest from Westland is not quite as complex as some of its older brethren across the pond, lacking the weaving intricacy of many peated Scotches. But that doesn’t mean it lacks depth, and there’s plenty to like even before taking a sip.

Taste

Far oakier and less fruity than on the nose, it takes me a couple sips to acclimate; there’s a hefty amount of wood here, and not as much as I expected in the realm of grilled and/or tropical fruits. Cinnamon, birch bark, toasted oak staves, burnt mesquite, and pine dominate the early palate, followed by more baking spice. On the third or fourth taste, white grape jelly and green melon candy build in conjunction with continued cinnamon. Rustic apple cider joins right along the midpalate, which, along with oak, stays a dominant flavor throughout the rest of the sip.

Finish

The finish is somewhat oily, coating the tongue and upper palate in a thin layer that conveys more (and to be clear, pleasant) wood flavors for 30 seconds or more after the sip. I do wonder if that slick layer dulled some more delicate flavors here, as there’s a significant dropoff in both fruit and smoke.

Westland Solum American Single Malt Whiskey Rating

88/100

Recap

Westland’s latest experiment with peat yields some tasty flavor, and it’s an overall pleasant sipping experience, especially for single malt fans. I wouldn’t call it the distillery’s most complex or boldest accomplishment to date, and I’d be curious what this same distillate tastes like after six or seven years; peated malt often goes in interesting directions with age. To that end, fingers crossed Westland has some more casks from this run tucked away for extended aging. I’ll be ready.

Reviewed On: 04-01-2025
88
POINTS
Westland Solum Edition 3 American Single Malt Whiskey
Seattle-based Westland Whiskey is a decades-old single malt producer that’s no stranger to experimental liquid streams. Indeed, the brand’s Outpost Range collection of whiskeys showcases expressions across three types of flavor contributors from the Pacific Northwest: oak (including their annual Garryana release), grain, and peat. The latest such release is Solum Edition 3, which focuses on peat. In this case, it’s whiskey made from 100 percent Washington state peated malt. That grain is smoked with peat harvested from bogs south of Seattle. Westland is quick to highlight the peat is harvested from below the waterline rather than the more traditional method of draining prior to harvest, the former method carrying a softer environmental impact. After distillation, the whiskey is aged for a minimum of 48 months (four years) in a combination of new and used oak barrels. Solum Edition 3 is a year older than Edition 2, and this time, the used barrels are Westland’s own refill casks instead of ex-bourbon barrels. Let’s see how it tastes! Westland Solum Edition 3 American Single Malt Whiskey review.

Westland Solum American Single Malt Whiskey: Stats and Availability

Westland is distributed across most major United States markets, though this limited edition, annual release is only available in “key markets.” Westland hasn’t provided much more information beyond that, and we also don’t know the exact bottle count. However, Solum certainly exists at the premium end of the distillery’s range, with an MSRP of about $150 for a 700-milliliter bottle. That said, as with most American single malts, I don’t (yet) expect this to command a significant markup above suggested retail.

Westland Solum American Single Malt Whiskey Review

As with all of VinePair’s whiskey reviews, this was tasted in a Glencairn glass and rested for at least five minutes.

Nose

The nose kicks off with light grilled and smoked fruit, like halved peaches charred on a charcoal grill. It’s just moderately smokey — more cooked fruit than creosote. Aromas of hardened caramel candy, almond cookies, and toasted Hawaiian sweet rolls round out first impressions on the nose. A little more time in the glass brings light minerality paired with oak; I can’t help but think of a barrel warehouse on the Pacific coast. The nose takes an additional (and final) sweet turn toward cinnamon-dusted baked apples. It’s difficult for most to sample any peated American single malt without thinking of Islay Scotch. It’s almost certainly an unfair comparison, though if we’re to make it, this latest from Westland is not quite as complex as some of its older brethren across the pond, lacking the weaving intricacy of many peated Scotches. But that doesn’t mean it lacks depth, and there’s plenty to like even before taking a sip.

Taste

Far oakier and less fruity than on the nose, it takes me a couple sips to acclimate; there’s a hefty amount of wood here, and not as much as I expected in the realm of grilled and/or tropical fruits. Cinnamon, birch bark, toasted oak staves, burnt mesquite, and pine dominate the early palate, followed by more baking spice. On the third or fourth taste, white grape jelly and green melon candy build in conjunction with continued cinnamon. Rustic apple cider joins right along the midpalate, which, along with oak, stays a dominant flavor throughout the rest of the sip.

Finish

The finish is somewhat oily, coating the tongue and upper palate in a thin layer that conveys more (and to be clear, pleasant) wood flavors for 30 seconds or more after the sip. I do wonder if that slick layer dulled some more delicate flavors here, as there’s a significant dropoff in both fruit and smoke.

Westland Solum American Single Malt Whiskey Rating

88/100

Recap

Westland’s latest experiment with peat yields some tasty flavor, and it’s an overall pleasant sipping experience, especially for single malt fans. I wouldn’t call it the distillery’s most complex or boldest accomplishment to date, and I’d be curious what this same distillate tastes like after six or seven years; peated malt often goes in interesting directions with age. To that end, fingers crossed Westland has some more casks from this run tucked away for extended aging. I’ll be ready.

Reviewed On: 04-01-2025