How We Started Crowded Barrel - Westward Single Malt Cask Strength

[@bradkirbey1560]

Isn't it amazing how a small idea can blossom into something bigger and better than you envision at the start. great video!

[@pfalzgraf7527]

Love your outro line! And I'm really glad you're there, too! What you do here feels really good! Thanks for the positivity!

[@xxacidmv]

Welcome all Whiskey Vaulters to Story Time with Daniel!

[@ChicagoScorpion411]

I'm an ambassador for a marketing company sampling liquor. I'm doing this one with the original Westward tomorrow at a Binny's. Can't wait to try it, and, see how many bottles I can sell! Wish me luck! Thanks for the wonderful review. It's amazing how knowledgable you are sir. You're a joy to watch!

[@cnwilliams59]

Love this story of friends, creativity and pursuit

[@DavidBurkett-x5d]

Westward is my favorite whiskey!

[@larrywagner1432]

Cheers! It been a wild ride all these years!

[@jacobwisner7821]

My brother in-law brought a bottle of this to Christmas dinner. It was pretty great stuff!

[@ericmzink]

I'm a total stan for Westward. Just down the road from me, and they're putting out some really good whiskey - that thick chocolate flavor is a note I get in most of their stuff and it's wonderful. if you can find a cask strength of their pinot cask it's mind blowing (I think most were single barrel picks though). We did a blending class with Miles a couple years ago and got to create our own bottled blends from a couple of their barrels, missus and I used them in our wedding. ASMs I think are the most exciting category of whiskey today, and having so many good ones nearby in the PNW is awesome.

[@budgethomegymtraining5526]

good points all. i think its the ale yeast that's the same throughout all their brews that present the underlying chocolate

[@danieldean2096]

The history is very interesting. Enjoying all your “fireside chats” and the summary of whiskey is helpful too. Wishing you continued success. Cheers!

[@AdamPFarnsworth]

Story time! (I might make a tiktok about this lol) 2 brewers were working for McMenamins in Oregon (a very cool pub and brewery all throughout the NorthWest), when they decided they wanted to start their own distillery. So the two brewers left McMenamins and founded House Spirits. This was one of the first distilleries in the boom of distilleries in Portland, and they made a good vodka and gin (distilleries often go with unaged spirits first). One of the founders decided he wanted to focus on whiskey, specifically single malt, with Oregon ingredients (even using new Oregon Oak barrels), so he left House spirits to create Bull Run Distillery. When Bull Run started, they took the vodka House Spirits was making, and House Spirits kept the gin. The gin House Spirits made was called Aviation Gin, and House Spirits made A LOT of money when Ryan Reynolds' investment company bought thr rights to Aviation. This influx of money allowed House Spirits to build a fantastic new production facility where they rebranded to: Westward Whiskey. Because of the Aviation sale (which is still made by House/Westward), Westward was able to quickly expand nationally with their brand. I'm more a fan of Bull Run (which Daniel and Rex reviewed a bottle of their Oregon Single Malt 4 years ago on a Donation Day episode), but it's always great seeing Oregon products getting recognition!

[@phreakmac4361]

Thanks for starting all of this wonderfulness. It has been great.

[@mikek6313]

That Westward Cask is one of my top 2 bottles I found this year, it's right up there with the Jack SBBP Rye as my favorite whiskeys

[@ianhall3584]

That because we like the vibe that you two have.

[@mudman215]

Good luck and best wishes!

[@Dan-hn1lx]

I have a Westward Vintage Muscat Cask bottle and its really nice dessert whisky very rich and decadent. Westward are making great whisky.

[@WhiskeyCrusaders]

It was certainly a great journey starting Crowded Barrel. Cheers

[@kevinblock2307]

I really enjoyed this episode - Daniel has so much knowledge on whiskey

[@ProfessorMichaelT]

All y'all are awesome!

[@xUNKN0WNS0LDIER]

I still have to try the higher proof one. The lower proof single malt was great and I use the bottle as my infinity bottle because it's so unique

[@nfc3po]

Have a bottle of this on the way. Actually got my shipping confirmation this morning. Excited for it to arrive.

[@bruceatherto2232]

I bought a bottle of Westwood cask strength and I opened it a couple days ago and got a lot of chocolate on the nose and taste. I will watch this video again one evening soon and taste along with Daniel. Thanks for the video.

[@cersos]

I see the little spats here and there, but on the whole, as online communities go, this has grown into perhaps the most dedicated, sincere, and dare I say respectful, groups that I am aware of.

[@OldFashionedWays]

Hey looking forward to the future. You guys do such fun and amazing things. You really inspire. Cheers

[@laryco]

Just received a Westward Pinot Noir cask….can’t wait to try it

[@oscarmakavelli]

I could see myself sitting in this room for several hours drinking whiskey, and reading through that mini-library in your backdrop.

[@MudHawg339]

I love it when people do their own thingk, especially when it involves making funky new whisky!

[@erickmorin2660]

Glad to be here

[@JustinPivinski-cm2rh]

I'm sure it's just a coincidence or you may have read my comment on the last video. It seemed like this was a much more in depth nosing and tasting review. Perfect balance or review and story. Also it's crazy I have been following you so long. I remember when you were posting the videos of building the distillery. It's crazy it's been that long.

[@TheReal_DeanD]

Now I’m really happy my local Total Wine gave up on this and put it on sale for 30% off. I didn’t have the funds to get it at full price but at a discount I got a bottle. I hope to find the same tasting notes.

[@-RONNIE]

Keep up the great work 🥃

[@the_whiskeyshaman]

Cant wait to see what the future holds.

[@mikeh720]

Cheers to you Daniel! Best wishes to you and yours (by blood and acquaintance) this holiday season! 🥃 Sláinte!

[@victormeursault]

I love those videos dan! but can i get some more old school whisky vault reviews at the same time? pleaassseeeeee i'd watch both i swear

[@rossfudd256]

I remember when you first put up the Patreon. You and Rex wrote down what you thought the income would be. The tribe blew it out of the water. Good times.

[@iamgeek246]

Is westward something you can find locally here in Texas? I’m based out of East Texas where all we have is Fat Dogs (aka Specs). I don’t recall seeing it but might have to look a little harder the next time I’m in Dallas. Cheers to another wonderful video as well - it’s awesome how a little spark of an idea has grown into something so awesome both for the Tribe as well as for the Vault.

[@WhiskeyVault]

I found this one at Specs!

[@iamgeek246]

@@WhiskeyVault perfect! Thanks!

[@choochoo4255]

Unclipped wings.....sounds like a good name for a Crowded Barrel whiskey. 😁

[@Wewilllearn-x2g]

This is the best whisky I’ve ever had, I keep it behind a locked door to stop me from drinking it all.

[@Vincent-J-Gunn]

By no means do I have a wide birth of knowledge on American single malts but one of the ones that suprised the most out of me at cask strength was a restaurant store pick of Stranahans single barrel cask strength. Sweet and fruit forward at 113.48 proof drinks more like some 100 proof bourbons .

[@lolzguyl]

Hello there!

[@christopherdeluague385]

Was this shot in December?

[@unclemikiesworld]

In the chill filtering process can what was filtered out be collected and added to a another batch to boost the richness of its flavor and oily mouthfeel?

[@WhiskeyVault]

No it's caught by filtration sheets and discarded as waste

[@unclemikiesworld]

@@WhiskeyVault it seems like there's potential for it to be a worthwhile endeavor. Some experimentation may be necessary?

[@SanskarWagley]

Understand why the separation had to happen, but I miss the banter

[@marbleo123]

I really do miss you being part of the shenanigans though 😢😢😢

[@ironpony9892]

Go back to a bottle of theirs, cask strength ASM, from time to time and enjoy it every single time.

[@squee116]

What are the programs you'd recommend for people who are interested in getting involved in the distilling part of whiskey?

[@WhiskeyVault]

Moonshine university is my first recommendation. ADI has distillers courses as well!

[@bryanwalker1737]

Why do I not see Crowded Barrel whiskey for sale in stores in Fort Worth? Is it all distillery only sales?

[@WhiskeyVault]

Only at the distillery or online

[@robertnichols4223]

Another great video. I was just thinking... sooner or later your going to make one of these videos that suck. Or maybe not. Keep up the streak. Great job.

[@TheBradWhittington]

Suckage is always possible. Cause . . . things.

[@TheWhiskeyRambler]

Is the non cask strength worth the buy? I do not think the cask strength is available in my area

[@WhiskeyVault]

I think so, yes

[@printnewb]

Unfortunately I will not buy another bottle from Westward. I bought the CS a few years ago at their airport kiosk but the next time I flew through there they made a comment on me buying only one bottle.

[@WhiskeyVault]

That sucks. Sorry you had a bad experience with a sales human. Don't give up on the great whisky though!

[@ThomasCarpenter-k4k]

Farewell Cosmic Bunghole!! Your free now!😢

[@triplecap4307]

I must say it was hard paying attention to what you were saying with that beautiful bottle of whisky sitting in front of you.

[@SC-zp3kn]

love Westward! gonna break out my Oakland Whiskey Library single barrel cask strength and sip along. They're my favorite distillery! love this story time with Daniel! 64.87% alcohol btw, love that exactness, Miles is a such a cool dude to talk too, he too is cask strength yet approachable

[@Project337]

BRB need to go buy a bottle.

[@ahickey]

It is always nice to hear parents talk fondly about the other after the divorce...

[@Mortuarydrake]

I was wondering what happened to the Mooch, but then I just saw him in an ad for a vape pen 😂

[@BrouwerPower]

Sláinte 🥃

[@PiperTallMatt]

Doh... I don't actually have Westward Cask Strength on the shelf. I have the Westward Pinot Noir Cask... and then a Single Cask Nation Westward 6yr and a Lost Lantern Westward Port Cask. Soooo I still have good options :)

[@PiperTallMatt]

Just had a mini half-ounce-of-each flight. All so distinctly Westward... that malty grain middle is the dominant common ground. It is a bit difficult to compare... the SCN & Lost Lantern bottles are cask strength (60.1% & 64% respectively), while the Pinot Noir cask is only 45%. Later tonight I'll have to add some water to the independents & do a more apples-to-apples comparison. I have to head out & drive in an hour though, so that's all for now. Looking forward to revisiting. Cheers!

[@Nasse83]

Its not been 7 years?!?!? Has it?

[@TheBradWhittington]

I feel ya, dawg.

[@hayscooter]

Ignorant KZbin viewer here. I've been a casual fan of both channels for probably over a year as I've gotten into bourbon. I watched the video describing the new direction, and as someone that can grasp the realities of the business(es) and the nepotistic nature of what you and Rex came up with, it didn't sit right, and I can't figure out why. I couldn't tell if I watched a new business direction or an amicable divorce. Either way, shouldn't the growth of your respective ideas be enjoyed in a manner where both of you talk about whatever you want to talk about without worrying about the ramifications? I thought about where else I've seen a similar situation on KZbin, and I can't really think of any. Please understand that it's just my observation. I wish you and crowded barrel the best!

[@gr8tfuldead.57]

You need to make strawberry banana brandy and age it in a barrel.

[@gr8tfuldead.57]

Try 99 bananas 1st

[@medhead964]

I miss the reviews....

[@trick_treat]

Yak yak yak

[@WhiskeyVault]

Don't talk back

[@tomeis8499]

... and now you "tore" it all down. Still can't get over it 😞

[@SlaserX]

I like the idea of Westward, but not the result

[@donaldgelhot-uu3zi]

I'm starting to see being a straight man for a couple of goofs might not have been fun all the time... maybe.

[@TheBradWhittington]

Ha!