Westward

In late 2016 it sold Aviation American Gin to Davos Brands but stayed its sole distiller, and Westward made up around 50% of its production.^1,2 In 2017 Westward changed from a single-barrel whiskey to a blend of 6 to 8 barrels.^2,3 In 2018 Diageo's Distill Ventures unit took a minority stake, while the founders and other investors kept majority ownership.^9,10,11 The investment let Westward expand its capacity, taking its stock from hundreds of barrels to thousands.^9,10,11 In 2022 Krogstad stepped away from his operating role, saying Westward Whiskey was now the company's focus.^8,11 He kept his stake and his Krogstad Aquavit brand, still made at the distillery, while Andrew Tice, VP of operations, and head distiller Miles Munroe led the team.^8,11 That year the company also remodeled its distillery and tasting room at 65 SE Washington St.¹²

On 6 April 2025 House Spirits filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy under Subchapter V, a route meant to help small businesses restructure.^1,10,11 A month earlier, Diageo had stopped new investment through Distill Ventures, which Mooney said still held a minority stake.^1,10,11 On 1 October 2025 a Delaware court approved the sale of most of its assets to Aqua Ardens, with the deal expected to close by 3 November.^5,6,7

In 2017 Westward single malt was made from 100% Northwest pale ale malt, mashed, boiled and chilled like a craft ale.³ The ale is brewed from locally malted barley and ale yeast.⁴ Its custom low-reflux pot stills are designed to keep the ale's character and texture.^3,4 In 2019 its barrels were aged at its barrel facility in nearby Clackamas, Oregon.^4,13 It ages its whiskey in new American oak barrels, heavily toasted and lightly charred.^4,13

Sources

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