The Judgement of Westland – Denver
October 23, 2021 @ 4:00 pm
Denver Scotch Club will be participating in The Judgement of Westland… and then some. In addition to the blind tasting of 1oz each of an unknown Westland and three other single malts, we will finish with the flagship Westland and the coveted 2017 and 2021 Westland Garryanas. That’s a lot of whisky! Westland’s Austin Ponton will preside over the Judgment.
Westland is being generous because they want YOUR opinion, your… judgement.
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From Austin Ponton, our guest Westland rep:
Hey Denver, I’m going to throw down a challenge for you here. For the in-person attendees at this event, I will be adding in a special prize for the individual with the most discerning palate in the group. A rare bottle of a Westland Cask Exchange distillery exclusive whiskey. (Names thrown in a hat if more than one person rises to the challenge). In addition to the 4 pours provided as part of the blind tasting, the following masterclass will include some very allocated pours of our 2021 Garryana ed 6 and our 2017 edition 2 of Garryana, which has long been a coveted and sold out item. Come join us and test your mettle!
From our friends at Westland Distillery (Seattle):
“For centuries Scotland set the standards in single malt whiskey. But today there is a sea change underway. New voices have emerged to challenge the sanctity of tradition in single malt. At Westland we believe that the merits of a single malt should not be determined by where a distillery sits on a map, but instead be judged by the integrity of its intention and the excellence of its execution. We believe that all fine single malts should be equally considered as valid points in the global conversation that defines them.
Since 2010, Westland has been the flag-bearer of America’s contribution to that conversation. Ten years in, do we measure up? The pundits give us high marks, but has Westland, and America, truly earned a seat at the table? It is not for us to claim; it is for you to decide.
It is time for the Judgement of Westland.
Our goal is similar to that of The Judgement of Paris—a blind tasting hosted by British wine merchant Steven Spurrier in 1976 that American Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon against some of the most famed Bordeaux Chateaux—by demonstrating again that new world can indeed stand tall with old world.
Starting October 1st, Westland will be hosting a series of blind tastings across the globe featuring four single malts from four distinct regions. Single malt fans will be asked to score each (not rank) to see how different regions stack up. None other than Dave Broom and Dr. Sam Simmons have selected each whiskey and designed the scoring system.”