Thieves executed a meticulous operation this summer, successfully stealing 12,000 bottles of Westland Distillery's renowned craft whiskey, valued at nearly $1 million. This significant liquor heist has raised concerns among whiskey enthusiasts regarding the future of these rare spirits.
The incident occurred on July 31 when a freight truck arrived at the distillery's warehouse in Burlington, Washington. The driver presented convincing paperwork that allegedly authorized the pickup of a shipment destined for New Jersey, including Westland single malt and Garryana whiskies. However, the delivery never reached its final destination.
According to Jason Moore, managing director of Westland Distillery, the scheme was a result of a sophisticated, fraudulent carrier. The whiskey in question, particularly the 10th anniversary edition of Garryana, is deemed irreplaceable and holds significant sentimental and monetary value.
The Skagit County Sheriff’s Office is currently leading the investigation, although they did not respond to requests for comments immediately.
Mark Gillespie, host of the WhiskyCast podcast, addressed the challenges the thieves will face in selling such a recognizable and sought-after product. It’s going to be really hard for whoever took this to actually get this onto the market, because what they took was so rare that everybody knows about it, Gillespie noted.
Westland Distillery has invested over a decade in creating the Garryana whiskey, which is characterized by its unique production methods, using local grains and regional flavors that highlight the terroir of the Pacific Northwest. The whiskey is aged in casks made from the Quercus garryana oak tree, adding to its exclusive profile.
The recent theft has left many in the community anxious about the fate of the bottles and whether they will resurface on the market. Whiskey enthusiasts are advised to purchase only through legal channels, with Gillespie emphasizing, If somebody tries to offer you a case of Westland whiskey right now, I’d call the cops.
As the investigation continues, Westland Distillery remains optimistic about its future, focusing on engaging with its customers and reassuring them about their products, despite the loss. The distillery's resilience, particularly after being acquired by the Remy Cointreau Group in 2016, suggests they will weather this setback.
