Miles Munroe, former Master Blender for Westward Whiskey and a pioneer of the American Single Malt whiskey category, announced his departure from the company after 13 years of shaping Westward’s celebrated whiskey portfolio.

A former musician, bartender, and brewer, Munroe attended the American Brewers Guild, which helped bring a unique approach to whiskey craftsmanship—blending brewing techniques with distillation and emphasizing the distinctive character of Pacific Northwest malted barley. His leadership was instrumental in developing Westward’s American Single Malt category, overseeing flagship releases, innovative cask experiments, and acclaimed special editions, including Westward Whiskey Milestone and Double Dark.

Late last year, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware approved the sale of most of Westward Whiskey’s assets to a group of private investors. The company continues to operate under the leadership of long-time CEO Thomas Mooney.

Reflecting on his time at Westward in a news release, Munroe said: “Looking back on 13 years with Westward, I’m proud of my accomplishments there. Helping to pioneer a new category of American whiskey meant the world to me, and the innovation I brought to the Whiskey Club there helped push the whiskey category into a new era. It’s time now to begin the next chapter of my career, and what comes next will build on these past accomplishments.”

Munroe recently announced the launch of his new brand, Grimoire Spirits, along with the Grimoire Whiskey Society, a members-only whiskey club. He will continue to develop unique, one-of-a-kind blends and plans to release small-batch products globally, further contributing to the evolution and innovation of American whiskey.

“Grimoire Spirits is a notion that has been slowly forming for quite a while, maybe longer than I’ve realized,” Munroe said. “Years of restyling how flavors come together, with a reverence for balance & depth, have led me to conjure up this new venture. This gives me the chance to blend with complete freedom and to explore an unlimited world of cask combinations uncovered from some of my favorite places. Grimoire will begin with a tailor-made whiskey club curated for those who appreciate going beyond the cursory glance at whiskey blends, with releases that gain richer insights into why we love this spirit and what casks still lie undiscovered, waiting for their moment. 

“Grimoire Whiskey Club wants its members to come along for the journey, digging deeper and having a great time along the way. Further down the line, Grimoire Spirits will also trek into a range of other Old World spirits to exhume more casks and apply my blending style there as well. Stay tuned, stay intrigued, and join us for the ride.”

Read more: New Life for Westward Whiskey: Court Approves Asset Sale