Pendleton Whisky 12-year rye is a departure from the traditional blended Canadian whisky the brand is known for. Marketing materials for the release provide some context for the rye. “Pendleton® 1910 Rye is named after the year of the first-ever Pendleton Round-Up. This rare 100% rye whisky is distilled in Canada and aged in oak barrels for a minimum of 12 years. 1910 packs peppery heat with notes of tobacco rounded out with maple and sweet cherry and ending with the smooth finish found in all Pendleton® Whisky variants. Packaged in an iconic bottle with intricate details of saddle tooling and the famous Pendleton Round-Up bucking horse.” 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.
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, 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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