Selected exclusively for our Fog City Social tastings, this single barrel of Westward American Single Malt captures everything compelling about the Oregon pioneer’s approach to whiskey making while adding a singular layer of Pacific Northwest character. Distilled from 100% malted barley and brewed like a craft ale before double distillation, Westward’s robust house style provides the perfect foundation for creative maturation. This 200 liter Kelvin Cooperage level 2 char cask first held Westward spirit before spending roughly eight months at 2 Towns Ciderhouse in the southern Willamette Valley, where their Bad Apple Imperial Cider, co fermented with Oregon meadowfoam honey, rested at 10.5%. Returned in late 2022, the barrel was refilled with 3 year old Westward and allowed to mature for more than two additional years, bringing the total age to 5 years and 4 months with a remarkable 2 years and 3 months in the cider seasoned oak. Bottled at full cask strength, the result is a vivid and textural expression that speaks to both provenance and process. The interplay between malt richness and orchard driven sweetness is seamless, offering layers of golden apple, honeyed florals, toasted grain and tropical lift without sacrificing the distillery’s signature structure. A completely one off barrel that perfectly reflects the experimental spirit behind both Westward and our Fog City Social program.