Warfield was one of those wonderfully pleasant surprises that reminds me why American single malt keeps getting more interesting. I first came across the distillery through Lost Lantern’s Winter 2025 Collection, and while it is easy to assume that a cask-strength Warfield would be delicious, the core 92-proof releases made the stronger argument.

At that proof, lower-strength whiskey can flatten out quickly, especially if it is built on corn sweetness and barrel notes. Warfield has more structure. The barley gives it shape, texture, and enough backbone to stand up without needing proof to do all the lifting.

That tracks with what Alex Buck described in our conversation about Warfield Distillery in Ketchum, Idaho: local barley, mountain water, a brewer’s approach to fermentation, Scottish-inspired distillation, and high-elevation Idaho maturation all working together. The Sun Valley Whiskey, Idaho Highlands, and Gently Peated each show a different side of that approach, from accessible and everyday to more clearly house-style to softly smoky.

For more on Warfield’s story, production, and place in American single malt, check out the full episode show notes here: https://www.whiskeyinmyweddingring.com/reviews/ep-242-warfield-distillery-with-alex-buck-show-notes

Slainte!

Thank you to Alex and Warfield Distillery for the opportunity to taste these for review. All opinions are my own.

Warfield Distillery Idaho Highlands American Single Malt Whiskey: Specs

Classification: American Single Malt Whiskey

Producer: Sun Valley Distillery

Mash Bill: 100% Idaho-Grown 2-Row Barley and Crystal Malts

Proof: 92º (46% ABV)

Age: NAS

Location: Ketchum, Idaho

Warfield Distillery Idaho Highlands American Single Malt Whiskey Price: $54.99

Official Website

Warfield Distillery Idaho Highlands American Single Malt Whiskey: Tasting Notes

Eye: Pale straw, green tint. Medium syrupy rims, thin legs, teardrops fall gently.

Nose: Soft malt, young but not grainy young, lemon zest and candied citrus. Hints of cream or Cel-Ray Dr. Brown’s soda, undercurrent of sharp sweetness. Malty biscuits and club crackers, buttery, cut with a bright white wine.

Palate: Drinks above proof, sharp front tongue hit like the white wine was oaked. Zesty lemon and grapefruit, a touch bitter, mostly sweet and a candied sour edge. Effervescent, the chocolate undertone growing on the chew, white and milk varieties. Mouthfeel is light, oily, coating, mildly astringent. Lemon and white pepper seep along to the sides of my tongue.

Finish: Adds more body and another coating of lacquer extending to the back palate. Flavors true to the nose and palate. Medium length, turns creamy and drier with a late floral edge.

Overall: Quite enjoyed this. The malt is undeniably Scottish in style, a Speyside Highland, all the fruity, zesty, floral notes I get from “younger” malts there (let’s say 3-6 years old). The chocolate malt gives a great undertone that checks the sweet and tart white wine and citrus. Easy buy for me, one of the best American single malts I’ve tried this year.

Final Rating: 8.5

Warfield Distillery Sun Valley American Single Malt Whiskey: Specs

This recently replaced “The Local,” Warfield’s ~6-month-old whiskey that was meant to be an easy introduction to single malts and a quick-aging (using all new American oak) for use in cocktails. This version is around two years old and is a slightly higher proof (92). While I preferred the Idaho Highlands, I clearly see the space this is meant for, and I think it fits quite well.

Classification: American Single Malt Whiskey

Producer: Sun Valley Distillery

Mash Bill: 100% Idaho-Grown 2-Row Barley and Crystal Malts

Proof: 92º (46% ABV)

Age: 2 Years Old

Location: Ketchum, Idaho

Warfield Distillery Sun Valley American Single Malt Whiskey Price: $38.99

Official Website

Warfield Distillery Sun Valley American Single Malt Whiskey: Tasting Notes

Eye:

Nose:

Palate:

Finish:

Overall:

Final Rating:

Warfield Distillery Gently Peated American Single Malt Whiskey: Specs

Alex Buck is a big fan of big, bold peat, but for this release he pulls it back to a more approachable level more akin to a Highland Park than an Ardbeg while being more like Ardbeg in flavor profile. This is the only release to use imported barley, which comes from Crisp in Scotland.

Classification: American Single Malt Whiskey

Producer: Sun Valley Distillery

Mash Bill: 50% Idaho-Grown 2-Row Barley and 50% Imported Scottish Peated Malt

Proof: 92º (46% ABV)

Age: NAS

Location: Ketchum, Idaho

Warfield Distillery Gently Peated American Single Malt Whiskey Price: $64.99

Official Website