Westward Whiskey Milestone Edition 2 (2024) Review

Westward Whiskey Milestone Edition 2 (2024) Review

It’s fair to say Westward Whiskey has been on my radar for quite some time. But last year’s Westward Milestone — the brand’s most premium and limited expression ever — pushed my curiosity into new territory. The 86 proof release made me rethink a lot surrounding the landscape of American whiskey, particularly in the single malt category.

Now, Westward Milestone is back to coincide with the distillery’s 20th anniversary. Like the 2023 version, this year’s Milestone is a limited-edition bottling composed of liquid from a bespoke 21-barrel solera system. The releases are curated by master blender Miles Munroe (hence “Milestone”). After each release is bottled, Munroe replaces the whiskey drawn off with a varying selection of different liquid from elsewhere in Westward’s barrel house.

The 2023 Milestone surprised me with its robust flavors and great mouthfeel at just 43 percent ABV. The 2024 version kicks things up to 48.5 percent ABV/97 proof.

Let’s see how Westward Whiskey Milestone Edition 2 stacks up!

Westward Whiskey Milestone: Stats and Availability

Westward Milestone carries a suggested retail price of around $250. It’s available in limited quantities both online and through limited retail partners in the U.S. The 2023 Milestone release numbered around 1,500 bottles. We don’t have an exact count for 2024, though I suspect it’s a bit higher; my sample came from a bottle numbered 1698.

Westward Whiskey Milestone: Review

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

Nose

Like last year’s Milestone release, the 2024 version starts off with a fruit medley: cantaloupe, honeydew, papaya, dark plum, and apricot converge with bold notes of both black and golden raisins. Fruit is dominant early and throughout the nose, the aromas gaining a bit of “funk” over time that conveys fermenting grape mash.

Fresh drip coffee and chicory root develops further on, along with a woody duo of both oak and cedar wood. Toasted nuts — slivered almonds and walnuts — and baking spice bookend the nose.

That spice gets hotter and heavier on cinnamon the longer the whiskey rests in the glass; it’s reminiscent of holiday-scented pine cones without getting nearly as overpowering. I’ve spent time at Westward’s Portland-based distillery and warehouse, and I know firsthand Munroe has incorporated whiskey from numerous cask finishes here. That includes cinnamon-forward Amburana, and while exact percentages would be impossible to parse given Milestone’s solera system, I’m certainly picking up some wood-heavy spice.

While last year’s 86 proof Milestone punched a bit above its weight with ethanol on the nose, the 2024 version seems about in line with its 97 proof. More importantly, the impact of ethanol is about on par with the influence of both fruit and spice scents.

Taste

Spiced orange marmalade hits the tongue quickly and continues a long crawl to the back of the palate. Other fruits fold in on a second sip: cooked apricot, honeycrisp apple, starfruit, and even a small hint of tart kiwi.

Fruit gradually recedes, though as with many Westward products, it never fully leaves, instead progressing into darker flavors like raisins and plums. Salted caramel and flaky, buttery pastry bring sweetness to the midpalate that balances the early fruit tartness. That light minerality was among the first things I tasted with last year’s milestone, but here it takes a backseat and provides a welcome counterweight to the initial flavors.

Dusted cinnamon builds along the back and upper palates, a spiced complement to the now-dark fruit components. Oak tannins also accumulate in abundance, showcasing the significant and lengthy barrel influence across both initial and finishing casks. The overall result is a midpalate full of fruitcake laden with well-aged rum.

Finish

A quick pop of tropical fruit — again heavy on papaya — kicks off the last act before oak and spice once again take over. It’s a medium-length finish, noticeably spicier than last year’s release. A surprising element of cocoa pairs with more buttered dough that reminds me of chocolate rugelach for about a minute after each sip.

Westward Whiskey Milestone Rating

95/100

Recap

Milestone once again showcases the very best of what Westward has on offer. At a couple junctures — particularly the late nose and first sip — I worried woody spice would overtake the other elements, including Westward’s hallmark blend of fruit flavors. While I wouldn’t call it completely flawless, the pour walked an incredibly fine line and basically stuck the landing. The second release of Westward Milestone shows Munroe and his team can keep pushing their flavor boundaries while staying a cut above the majority of American single malts. It’s a high bar I hope they can continue clearing.

*Image retrieved from @theapartment_creativestudio

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