Whisky Review: Pendleton Champion’s Edition 2022

Editor’s Note: This whisky was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. 

Pendleton may be categorized as a Canadian whisky, but it’s a celebration of the American West and the American cowboy in particular. Named and branded to honor Oregon’s now century-spanning Pendleton Roundup, Pendleton Whisky was initially launched by Hood River Distillers in 2003. The Pendleton brand was acquired by Becle in 2018 and is now distributed by US subsidiary Proximo Spirits. The whisky is distilled and blended in Canada, but still bottled by Hood River Distillers, at which point the brand’s defining touch –water sourced from the “Mt. Hood glacial melt”– is applied. 

The 2022 Champion’s Edition, released in particular celebration of the Roundup, is for sale only in the brand’s home state of Oregon. Given that the bottle is touted as a limited, regional release, I figured there must be some particular, distinctive wrinkle in the whisky’s production but the “key facts” about the Champion’s Edition are generally true (enough) of all their bottles, save for that “each bottle prominently features the rodeo’s famous bucking horse symbol and ‘Let’er Buck’ slogan.”

Pendleton Champion’s Edition 2022 (image via Proximo)

Tasting Notes: Pendleton Champion’s Edition 2022

Vital Stats: 40% ABV. Canadian whisky aged in American oak, cut with “glacier-fed” water from Oregon. Available in Oregon only.

Appearance: Light brass color.

Nose: Sweet and woody, almost grassy or vegetal.

Palate: Warm spicy flan and oaky vanilla with a light to moderate burn.