A Tale of Three Whiskeys Vol. 2

Every bottle of whiskey tells a story, but the three remarkable samples presented here read like a masterpiece.  They are all a part of the world of whiskey-making, bringing a unique chapter to the rich anthology of whiskey-making.  Let's "pour" through them!

Volume I – BHAKTA 1928 Rye Whiskey

This whiskey is a story of the past and of excellence. No ordinary spirit but a time capsule, an heirloom of the Roaring Twenties. This blend combines 2018 Rye, XO Calvados, and 10% Armagnac with vintages as old as 1928. The result? Bold, deep, and sophisticated. Each sip delivers notes of history and the golden age of elegance, making this a timeless hero in our whiskey tale. 

Volume II – Westland Flagship American Single Malt Whiskey

Venture to the Pacific Northwest for a narrative of innovation and vision. Westland Single Malt is pioneering a bold new chapter in American whiskey. Blending cask types—new oak, ex-bourbon, and ex-Oloroso—this whiskey tells a rich, layered story with the unmistakable American character. Like an epic adventure penned in Seattle’s mist, this whiskey celebrates exploration and redefines single malt with a fresh, forward-thinking take on tradition.

Volume III – Jaywalk Straight Rye Whiskey

Travel to New York with Jaywalk Rye, a tale of revival and perseverance. This bold rye rekindles the nearly forgotten New York rye style. Aged to perfection with heirloom organic grains from the Finger Lakes, Jaywalk Rye captures the heart of Brooklyn’s distilling history. With its bold 92-proof flavor, it’s a spirit to savor—a memento of New York’s rich past and bright future.

Together, these three volumes form a rich anthology that spans decades and landscapes, inviting you to savor the marvels of American whiskey-making.

SMARTASS CORNER

1. Cognac and Armagnac are made just 180 miles apart, practically neighbors. Cognac uses mostly one type of grape, while Armagnac prefers variety. The key difference? PR. Armagnac, one of the oldest spirits, was rarely exported. Cognac, thanks to smart marketing and Napoleon III as its poster boy, became an export hit.

2. When it comes to claiming first-born status, Armagnac takes the crown over Cognac. As the oldest type of brandy in France, its distillation dates back to the early 15th century, making it a true pioneer in the world of spirits.

3. Calvados, the famous apple brandy from Normandy, has quite a history! It dates all the way back to 1553 when Gilles de Gouberville first wrote about distilling cider into eau-de-vie.

4. Calvados is made using over 200 types of apples, sometimes mixed with pears, to give it that unique and delicious flavor.

5. American single malt is the wild child of whiskeys! It uses any malted grain it likes. It disregards the Scottish pot distillation rule and distills in its own way. Geography? Anywhere goes!

6. Westland Single Malt uses Belgian brewer's yeast, typically found in saison beers, adding a fruity and spicy character to the whiskey.

7. Westland Single Malt uses barley grown in Washington State, highlighting the unique terroir of the Pacific Northwest.

8. The birth of Jaywalk Rye is no simple tale but an epic saga spanning over a decade, venturing from just 10 seeds to a sprawling 200-acre legacy in the Finger Lakes region.

9. Co-founded by Allen Katz, Jaywalk Rye is part of the Empire Rye movement, aiming to put New York rye back on the map.

10. In the 1860s, Brooklyn was a hotbed for distilling, leading to the "Whiskey Wars" where government troops clashed with distillers over unpaid taxes.