Westward Reserve Bar Top Flight Series Barrel 16 Proof 130.21
- Jan 13
- 3 min read
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
About This Spirit from Pourmore
Westward Topflight Series - Barrel 16
Producer/Distiller: Westward Whiskey
Brand/Series: Topflight Series
Type: American Single Malt (Single Barrel)
Location: Portland, Oregon, USA
Story:
The Westward Topflight Series celebrates the artistry of American single malt at its peak — each barrel chosen for its rare balance of depth, texture, and individuality. Barrel 16 is a standout example, shaped by Oregon's wild climate and Westward's meticulous brewing-inspired approach to whiskey making. Every drop reflects their signature focus on malt flavor and bold, layered complexity. Aged to perfection and bottled at cask strength, this barrel captures the essence of Pacific Northwest craftsmanship - robust, nuanced, and unmistakably Westward.
Tasting Notes:
The nose opens with indulgent notes of chocolate, malt, and vanilla. On the palate, you'll find rich flavors of bread pudding, warm vanilla, and a touch of cinnamon. The finish lingers with malty notes and milk chocolate, rounding out a decadent and expressive single-malt experience.
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How We Feel About the Spirit
Westward Reserve Bar Top Flight Series Barrel 16 — A High‑Proof Surprise Worth Savoring
Some bottles arrive in the Sipping Room with a quiet kind of authority — the kind that makes you pause before pulling the cork. Our latest delivery from the Pourmore Whiskey Enthusiast subscription did exactly that. Nestled inside the familiar monthly box was a Westward Reserve Bar Top Flight Series Barrel 16, proudly stamped with a proof that made our eyebrows rise: 130.21.
High‑proof whiskey always carries a bit of drama. There’s anticipation, a touch of intimidation, and that little voice whispering, Are we ready for this? Before we even poured the first dram, we braced ourselves for a fiery experience. After all, 130‑plus proof is no small statement.
But the moment the whiskey hit the glass, the story shifted.
Instead of the aggressive heat we expected, the first sip surprised us with a remarkable smoothness — the kind that makes you pause, blink, and go back for a second taste just to confirm what you experienced. The proof may be bold, but the whiskey itself is composed, confident, and unexpectedly elegant.
And then came the finish.
As the warmth settled, rich waves of chocolate rose to the forefront, deep and expressive. It wasn’t subtle; it was a flourish — a final note that lingered long after the sip was gone. That chocolate impression became the defining memory of the pour, turning what could have been a one‑dimensional high‑proof powerhouse into something layered, indulgent, and genuinely memorable.
This bottle is a reminder of why we love the journey Pourmore brings to our doorstep each month. It pushes us outside our comfort zone, introduces us to expressions we might never have picked up on our own, and gives us stories worth telling — stories of surprise, delight, and the joy of discovering something extraordinary where we least expect it.
Westward Reserve Barrel 16 may have arrived with a bold number on its label, but it left an even bigger impression on our palate. And that’s the kind of experience that earns a place in our collection — not just as a bottle, but as a moment worth remembering.
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Related Cocktails
Pacific Harvest Old Fashioned
Ingredients:
2 oz Westward Top Flight Series Barrel 16
¼ oz maple syrup (dark, grade A preferred)
2 dashes black walnut bitters
1 dash orange bitters
Orange peel and toasted walnut, for garnish
Method:
Combine whiskey, maple syrup, and bitters in a mixing glass with ice. Stir until well chilled, then strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Express the orange peel over the glass, rub along the rim, and drop it in. Garnish with a toasted walnut for a subtle nutty aroma.
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