Oregon whiskey distiller Westward Whiskey has appointed UK drinks agency SipWell Brands as exclusive travel retail distribution partner to boost its international presence.
With a ‘whiskey set free’ tagline, Westward Whiskey began in 2004 with a vision to make a distinctive American whiskey inspired by the American Northwest, “brewing like a craft ale, distilling like a single malt, and aging like a Bourbon”.
SipWell said its focus will be on Westward Whiskey Original, an expression which claimed the Gold Medal at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Original, with a 45% ABV, is created from locally malted barley, is double pot-distilled and matured in new, heavily toasted, and lightly charred American oak.
According to the partners, the distribution agreement will boost Westward availability across key global hubs and top-tier destination airports.
SipWell’s whisk(e)y portfolio includes: Kilchoman; Stauning; The Glenturret; Finn Thomson Private Single Cask Collection; Port Askaig, Fable and Japanese single malt Karuizawa from Elixir Distillers. The drinks agency also represents ultra-premium rum Dictador, Mexican tequila Casa Dragones, Caribbean rum Black Tot and Scotland’s Lind & Lime Gin.
“We are seeing a real growing interest in US single malts across the travel retail world” – SipWell Brands Managing Director Andrew Torrance
Westward Whiskey Founder and CEO Thomas Mooney said: “We are excited to partner with Sipwell to introduce our award-winning whiskey to new and discerning drinkers around the world. While we hope someday to host these travel enthusiasts at our distillery in the Northwest, we look forward to sharing a taste of our home through our rich and robust whiskey.”
SipWell Brands Managing Director Andrew Torrance commented: “We are seeing a real growing interest in US single malts across the travel retail world and what Westward brings is a range of whiskies wonderfully balanced, but at the same time deep, rich and interesting.
“We know they will generate real standout across global travel retail. We also know the team will keep pushing at the boundaries with excellent innovations, so the future looks very healthy.” 
