American Single Malt Singapore | Craft American Whiskey

Frequently Asked Questions — American Single Malt Whiskey Singapore

What is American single malt whiskey?

American single malt whiskey is a whiskey made entirely from malted barley at a single US distillery, the American counterpart to Scotch or Irish single malt. It must be made from a fermented mash of 100% malted barley, distilled at one distillery in the United States, aged in oak casks of up to 700 litres, and bottled at a minimum of 80 proof. Crucially, and unlike bourbon, it does not have to use new charred oak — distillers may use used, new charred or new uncharred barrels, which opens the door to creative cask finishes. The style is malt-forward, rich and often fruity. At The Liquid Collection, the American single malt selection is the Westward range from Portland, Oregon, six expressions from $119 to $177 SGD.

Is American single malt an official whiskey category?

Yes — and it is the newest one. In December 2024 the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau published a final rule adding American single malt whiskey to the official standards of identity, effective January 2025, the first new whiskey type recognised in over fifty years. The standard requires 100% malted barley produced in the US, distillation at a single US distillery to no more than 160 proof, ageing in oak barrels of up to 700 litres, and bottling at 80 proof or higher, with the term Straight reserved for whiskeys aged at least two years. Westward, stocked at The Liquid Collection, was a founding member of the commission that campaigned for the category, so its whiskeys sit right at the heart of this milestone.

What is the difference between American single malt and Scotch single malt?

Both are made from 100% malted barley at a single distillery, but the country and the maturation rules differ. Scotch single malt must be made in Scotland, distilled in pot stills, and aged at least three years, usually in used oak. American single malt must be made in the United States and follows the newer US standard, which is more flexible on cask type — used, new charred or new uncharred oak — encouraging experimentation. In the glass, American single malts like Westward often show a richer, fruitier, more new-oak-influenced profile than the typical Scotch, partly because producers such as Westward draw on craft-beer brewing techniques and American oak. The Liquid Collection stocks Westward here and a wide Scotch single malt range for comparison.

Who is Westward Whiskey?

Westward is a craft distillery in Portland, Oregon, and one of the pioneers of American single malt whiskey. Its philosophy is summed up in its own motto — to brew like a craft ale, distill like a single malt and age like a bourbon. Westward uses Pacific Northwest two-row barley, ferments it with craft ale yeast for a fruitier, more characterful spirit, double-distills it, and matures it primarily in new, lightly charred American oak, before exploring a range of cask finishes. The distillery's leadership was a founding member of the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission that secured the category's federal recognition. At The Liquid Collection, the full Westward range of six expressions is stocked, from $119 to $177 SGD.

How many American single malts does The Liquid Collection stock?

The Liquid Collection stocks six American single malts, all from Westward, priced from $119 to $177 SGD. The range begins with the flagship Westward American Single Malt at $119 SGD, then moves through a series of cask finishes that show off the category's flexibility: Pinot Noir Cask at $149 SGD, Stout Cask at $153 SGD, Rum Cask Finish at $154 SGD and Chardonnay Cask at $160 SGD. At the top is the Westward Cask Strength at $177 SGD, bottled undiluted at full barrel strength. Together they make an ideal flight for exploring how one distillery's malt spirit responds to different barrels. All six qualify for free islandwide delivery in Singapore.

What are the Westward cask finishes?

Westward finishes its core single malt in a variety of barrels, each adding a distinct layer to the rich, malty base. The Pinot Noir Cask, finished in barrels from Oregon's famous Pinot Noir wineries, adds red-fruit and berry notes; the Stout Cask, finished in barrels that previously held craft stout, brings chocolate, coffee and roasted depth; the Rum Cask Finish adds tropical sweetness and spice; and the Chardonnay Cask lends bright orchard fruit and a creamy, oaky character. Because American single malt does not require new charred oak, these finishes are entirely within the rules. At The Liquid Collection they range from $149 to $160 SGD, and tasting them side by side is a fascinating lesson in cask influence.

How is American single malt different from bourbon?

The grain and the cask rules are the main differences. Bourbon must be at least 51% corn and aged in new charred oak, giving sweet vanilla and caramel. American single malt must be 100% malted barley, giving a maltier, often fruitier and more cereal-driven profile closer to Scotch, and it may be aged in used or uncharred oak as well as new charred, which allows cask finishes that bourbon's rules forbid. Both must be made in the USA at a single distillery. They are complementary rather than competing styles — bourbon for sweet richness, American single malt for malty complexity. The Liquid Collection stocks both, so you can compare the Westward range here against the bourbon collection.

What is Westward Cask Strength?

Westward American Single Malt Cask Strength is the flagship single malt bottled undiluted at full barrel strength, rather than reduced with water. This makes it the most intense and concentrated expression in the range, with amplified malt, dark fruit, new American oak, chocolate and spice, and a long, powerful finish. Adding a few drops of water opens it up and lets you tune the strength to taste. It is a sipping whiskey for the enthusiast and the apex of the Westward range at The Liquid Collection, priced at $177 SGD. Best enjoyed neat at room temperature in a nosing glass, taking time to let its layers unfold. A rewarding bottle for fans of bold, full-bodied malt.

How should I drink American single malt whiskey?

American single malt is best enjoyed neat or over a single large ice cube, the same way you would approach a fine Scotch single malt, so its malty, fruity, cask-influenced character can be appreciated. Serve at room temperature in a tulip-shaped nosing glass to concentrate the aromas. A few drops of water can open up the higher-strength bottles, especially the Cask Strength. While malt whiskies can be mixed, the Westward range rewards sipping rather than cocktails, given the cask finishes and craftsmanship involved. Comparing the flagship against the cask-finished expressions side by side is a great way to explore the style. The Liquid Collection can advise on where to start on WhatsApp at +65 9680 5856.

How much does American single malt cost in Singapore, and does The Liquid Collection deliver?

At The Liquid Collection, the Westward American single malt range costs from $119 to $177 SGD. The flagship Westward American Single Malt is $119 SGD; the cask-finished expressions run from $149 SGD for the Pinot Noir Cask through the Stout Cask, Rum Cask Finish and Chardonnay Cask at $160 SGD; and the undiluted Cask Strength is $177 SGD. All prices are in Singapore dollars for 70cl or 75cl bottles. The Liquid Collection delivers free islandwide across Singapore with no minimum order and a standard window of 3 working days, and the team is on WhatsApp at +65 9680 5856 for stock checks, gifting and advice. The office is at 2 Sims Close, #02-10, Singapore 387298.