Thieves made headlines this summer after stealing 12,000 bottles of craft whiskey from Westland Distillery in Burlington, Washington, a loss valued at nearly $1 million. The heist involved a freight truck that arrived at the distillery’s warehouse on July 31, presenting fraudulent paperwork for a shipment of Westland’s spirits destined for New Jersey.

Jason Moore, the managing director of Westland, indicated that the audacity of the scheme and the rarity of the stolen bottles, particularly the distillery’s first 10-year Garryana whiskey, made this theft unusual. The bottles were set to celebrate the distillery’s decade in operation, but the scheme was discovered only a week later, leading to an investigation by the Skagit Valley Sheriff’s Office.

Experts suggest that selling such stolen goods may prove to be challenging. Mark Gillespie, host of the WhiskyCast podcast, noted that the rarity and recognition of the bottles would make it difficult for thieves to market them. In the U.S., liquor sales are regulated under a three-tier system, complicating illegal sales on the secondary market. Contrary to much of Europe, where auction houses facilitate such transactions, reselling alcohol independently in the U.S. is largely illegal.

The Garryana whiskey holds significance due to its production from the Quercus garryana oak tree native to the Pacific Northwest, and it has received top accolades, including being named the third-best whiskey globally by Whisky Advocate magazine in 2023. This limited-edition liquor is known to sell out quickly each year, contributing to its desirability and the potential for inflated prices on whatever remaining inventory exists after the theft.

In light of the incident, Moore stated that Westland is prioritizing customer engagement and security measures over the ongoing investigation. While losing $1 million could significantly impact a smaller distillery, experts believe Westland will weather the storm, especially after being acquired by France’s Remy Cointreau Group in 2016. Gillespie provided a cautionary note for potential buyers, advising them to report any illegal whiskey offers to the authorities.

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