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Pendleton Whisky Midnight Review

A review of Pendleton Whisky Midnight, a Canadian blended whisky partly aged over six years in American brandy barrels.

OVERALL RATING

7
$30
  • Charles Steele is an attorney and whiskey enthusiast with a penchant for the peculiar.
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Tasting Notes

About:

Pendleton Whisky Midnight, blended Canadian Whisky. This is a well priced blended whisky which offers an approachable entry point for many new to the world of whisky. This whiskey is the second product produced under the Pendleton label and is a blended Canadian aged in brandy barrels.

Marketing Materials for Pendleton Midnight: Pendleton® Whisky Midnight is made with pure, glacier-fed spring water from Oregon’s Mt. Hood, delivering complex taste and exceptionally smooth finish. A portion of the blend is aged for over six years in American brandy barrels for a truly authentic flavor.

The Pendleton Round-Up is a big deal in Oregon. As someone who has lived in Oregon his whole life, I’ve known about Pendleton, the whisky, and the round-up for as long as I can remember. It’s a wild event and draws crowds from around the world. Something unique about Pendleton is that the name “Pendleton” is a registered trademark of Pendleton Woolen Mills (a textile brand whose artwork is inspired by the indigenous tribes of Oregon), and the logo (a bucking bronco) and catch-phrase “Let’er Buck” are owned by the Pendleton Round-Up. Hood River Distillers leases the name, logo, and catch-phrase. Really emphasizing the interconnected nature of the whiskey, the region, and the land.
Appearance:
Palo Cortado Sherry
Nose:
Coffee, cigar, pear skins and alcohol.
Palate:
Velvety sweet caramel, rich dark chocolate, and bright red apples.
Finish:
Buttery richness that feels similar to drinking red wine with an explosive square of dark chocolate. The finish could be a touch longer and leaves you wanting a bit more.
Comments:
I have a bottle of this from the original release years ago. That should give you some indication of what I thought of that bottling. This, however, is distinctly not that. The brandy notes are beautifully molded into the whiskey and provide a sweet immersive profile with complex trappings that compliments the softer Canadian whisky notes. It truly tastes like going through an orchard of ripe fruit. I did not get any syrup or artificial flavors.

To say I was surprised by this bottle is an understatement. I liken this to a dessert whiskey, it won’t be something you’re going to start the night off-with but maybe sipping on the back porch on a hot day with a cube of ice. It’ll hit the spot squarely. Although price is not a factor in my evaluations, the price on this is outstanding.

Ultimately it’s worth a grab or a revisit.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Charles Steele

Charles Steele, a Portland-based attorney, is a native of the Pacific Northwest. His legal background provides him with an analytical approach to understanding whiskey and other aged spirits. Primarily a legal writer, freelancing for The Whiskey Wash offers Charles a unique opportunity to showcase his versatility as a writer. Although his preference lies with whiskey and whiskey-based cocktails, he has a profound appreciation for all unique and unconventional liquors, from Malört to Ojen - if it's peculiar, he's intrigued.

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