Westward Whiskey was founded in 2004 by Christian Krogstad in Portland, Oregon, with a clear and ambitious vision: to craft a distinctive American whiskey inspired by the landscapes and culture of the Pacific Northwest. Later joined by CEO and co-owner Thomas Mooney, the distillery — operating under House Spirits Distillery — grew rapidly into a defining force in American craft spirits. At a time when only a few dozen craft distilleries existed across the entire country, Westward helped chart a new course for American whiskey. Westward is widely recognized as a pioneer and leader in the American single malt category. By 2015, under Mooney's direction, Westward had become the largest independent distiller of American single malt whiskey, and is today considered the largest craft distiller on America's West Coast. Their whisky's are made with Pacific Northwest ingredients and brewed using ale yeast — a nod to the region's thriving craft beer culture — giving them a uniquely rich, full-bodied character that sets them apart from traditional American whiskey styles. Westward's award-winning reputation earned them a place in Distill Ventures' portfolio in 2018, further cementing their standing as a benchmark producer in the growing American single malt movement. Their whisky's are celebrated for setting the standard in a category they helped define.