Bourbon

Pendleton 1910 10-Year Bourbon

After being impressed by Pendleton’s rye, reviewer Charles Steele turns to Pendleton 1910 10-Year Bourbon. Does it deliver the same standout quality? Read the full review.

OVERALL RATING

7
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Tasting Notes

About:

Pendleton Whisky 10-year bourbon is a departure from the traditional blended Canadian whisky the brand is known for. The label is owned by Hood River Distillers in the state of Oregon, USA. Marketing materials for the release provide some context for the Bourbon.”Pendleton® 1910 Bourbon honors the inaugural year of the legendary Pendleton Round-Up, a century-old rodeo that celebrates the rugged spirit of the American West. This Premium 90 Proof Straight American Bourbon is crafted to reflect the hard work, character, and tenacity that define the Western lifestyle.Aged for a decade in white American oak barrels, Pendleton® 1910 Bourbon offers a robust and complex flavor profile. Notes of caramel, vanilla, and rye spice dance on the palate, leading to a lingering finish that’s as satisfying as it is memorable.”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 whiskey, and the round-up for as long as I could remember. It’s a wild event and draws crowds from around the world. Something unique about Pendleton is the name “Pendleton” is a registered trademark of Pendleton Woolen Mills (a textile brand whose artwork is inspired but 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:
Chestnut Copper
Nose:
Citrus, cinnamon sugar, and vanilla. Light orange blossom with toasted oak.
Palate:
Warm maple syrup, cherries, oak, and a hint of lemon zest.
Finish:
Starts with just a touch of toffee before red pepper flakes, lemon peel, tobacco and drifts of coffee. There is a notch of spice as an undercurrent throughout.
Comments:
Pendleton Whisky is everywhere here in Oregon. For many in the State it’s our first exposure to whisky. Now Pendleton does not distil, at least to my knowledge, any of the whisky that goes into their bottles. They source this bourbon, similar to how they source their Canadian whisky. Once the whisky reaches the distillery it is cut with Mt. Hood spring water.

Focusing on Pendleton 1910 Bourbon. I really enjoyed this. I like to say there are just “good bourbons” and this to me is one. It’s nothing fancy, it’s not going to make you contemplate the upper bounds of what Bourbon can bring to the world of whiskey, but it will be something you’d reach for again and again. It has punch despite being a ‘lower’ proof, it has sugary notes like you want in bourbon, and some surprise citrus along with spice.

This is a whiskey to set on the table watching a rodeo, to mix into a cocktail, or put over ice. It’s a pretty bottle and it’ll look good on a bar cart. As the label says, “Let’er Buck”.

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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