In brief
In a bold summer heist, thieves made off with 12,000 bottles of Westland Distillery's first 10-year Garryana whiskey, valued at nearly $1 million. The incident has left authorities searching for leads as whiskey enthusiasts express concern over the theft of such a rare and notable product that showcases the unique flavors of the Pacific Northwest.
In a stunning heist this summer, 12,000 bottles of craft whiskey were stolen from Westland Distillery in Burlington, Washington, highlighting the vulnerability of artisanal producers. The $1 million loss has captured the attention of both law enforcement and whiskey enthusiasts alike.
The bottles disappeared on July 31 when an individual, using what appeared to be legitimate paperwork, arrived in a freight truck to collect a shipment meant for New Jersey. This sophisticated fraud scheme has drawn the concern of the Skagit Valley Sheriff’s Office as they begin an investigation.
Jason Moore, the managing director of Westland, shared his disappointment over the potential irretrievability of these bottles. This is an unfortunate and pretty extraordinary situation,” he lamented.
Experts, like Mark Gillespie of the WhiskyCast podcast, note that selling such rare goods could prove to be extremely challenging. With the rarity of the Garryana whiskey well-known, it will be difficult for the thieves to move the stolen property. It’s going to be really hard for whoever took this to actually get this onto the market, he stated.
The Garryana is celebrated for its unique aging in casks made from the Quercus garryana oak tree, endemic to the Pacific Northwest, thereby embodying the regional terroir. This limited-edition whiskey has received accolades, including being named the third best whiskey globally by Whisky Advocate magazine this year.
Despite this significant setback, Moore expressed optimism about the distillery's future and commitment to their customers, emphasizing their ongoing dedication to quality. The distillery has initiated new protective measures while focusing on ensuring their customers continue to receive their products.
Gillespie advises consumers wanting to taste Westland's creations to stay vigilant and rely on legal retail options. When facing such illicit marketplaces, potential buyers should be wary: If somebody tries to offer you a case of Westland whiskey right now, I’d call the cops,” he cautioned.
