It’s unusual to see heritage brands step outside their comfort zone, but you could argue that a bourbon would round out Oregon-based Pendleton Whisky’s offerings quite nicely. Suffice it to say, the brand did just that.
Its newest release of Pendleton 1910 Bourbon is as a sibling to 1910 Rye. Both named for the inaugural year of the annual Pendleton Round-Up rodeo in Oregon, the bourbon’s packaging nods to heritage rodeo prize saddle-making techniques, and its flavor profile blends Western rye with a sweet Southern infusion.
Aged for ten years in charred white American oak, the 90 proof bourbon carries a slight flavor of toasted oakiness that measures itself against bold flavors of caramel, vanilla, and maple. A nuanced balance, however, lives in the rye side of the blend. The spicier notes check the sugary down a few notches, lending a spicy finish that lingers. And, in a direct connection to the West, the bourbon blend is cut to proof with glacier-fed spring water from Mt. Hood.
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To borrow a beer term, Pendleton 1910 highly sessionable bottle. It's less a collector’s bourbon than a fashionably utilitarian sipper. Drink it neat or use it as a foundation for your classic bourbon cocktails. I prefer it over a light amount of rocks, which opens up the profile to something like spiced marshmallow. Because it's released around the holidays, it's perfect timing to use for warm and spiced winter drinks. Spiked apple cider, anyone?
The bottle is affordable at just $50, and I’d argue it’s more than competitive with brands at higher price points. It also makes a great whiskey gift for the bourbon lover in your life, especially as the holidays approach.
Currently, it’s only available through the brand's website and select retailers, but you can expect to find it nationwide in February 2025.
Related: High West Just Dropped Newest Edition of A Midwinter Night's Dram
