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: Mott’s apple juice. Thin rims and legs, globular drops.

Nose: The new oak is immediately noticeable, as is a stronger orchard fruit, particularly apples and pears. From the same base, I am surprised at so much difference. Clean barnyard funk, fresh hay, an earthy floral tone.

Palate: SweetTarts and sour belt candies, sharp and sweet with a zesty lemon and orange peel. This is more akin to the Idaho Highlands with only a touch more barrel influence. Mouthfeel is drier, like after you finish a hard candy. Coating and medium-bodied, creamy but drying rather than oily. Drinks closer to 100 proof, pleasantly piquant.

Finish: Creamy malt, reminds me of Dalmunach. The lemon fades to a brightness rather than outright zest. Malt sharpens into focus, too. Just reaches medium length, punching well above its weight.

Overall: I know this is supposed to be a younger, lighter, more approachable version for cocktails, but this really stands up well on its own. The Idaho Highlands is a more complex older brother, but don’t sleep on this, particularly if you enjoy new American oak with your single malts.

Final Rating: 7.8

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

Warfield Distillery Gently Peated American Single Malt Whiskey: Tasting Notes

Eye: Pale, more like a worn-out cask was used.

Nose: Gently peated indeed, soft but clear and clean, very little dirtiness. Needs a little air for the malt to open behind the peat, the now-familiar Warfield notes plus the unspecific peated malt.

Palate: Creamy, hits some peppery heat on the front and tip of my tongue. The peat is moderately powerful, takes the lead without dominating the palate. Lemon custard, spiked, drinking closer to 105-110 proof. Mouthfeel is rich, not watering down on the chew, a background mint emerging. Medium-bodied with a solid proof that keeps going.

Finish: The Idaho malt emerges more here, the peat letting up just enough. Charred citrus and toasted wood, toasted almonds, too. Medium length.

Overall: The peat achieves a nice balance, thought the Idaho malt needs some help to break through the smoke. Either a new barrel or a 60/40 split instead of 50/50 might let the malt character breathe more. Still quite good, and an easier entry point to peat for the general American palate.