We’ve done it! We’ve made it through Dry January, and I’m going to tell you, much to my surprise, it was super easy. My wife and I both came to the same conclusion: after just a little bit, we didn’t even think of having a nightcap before bed. We seem to have gotten out of the rut that we had fallen into regarding our evening’s libations.
Of course, all that isn’t to say that I didn’t go shopping and pick up a few whiskies that sound super tasty. I mean, my weekly allergy shot is very near Total Wine. And really, why wouldn’t I stop in and take a peek through the bourbon aisle while I was in the area? At this point, I’ve already got almost a full month of tastings and reviews planned out with either things I’ve purchased or samples sent to me. February should be full of tasty treats.
Of course, in moderation. It doesn’t seem right to spend so long getting out of a rut only to jump right back in.
So, now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s dive into the last tasting we did prior to the New Year. The Pendleton Whiskey portfolio includes three Canadian Whiskies bottled in Hood River, Oregon, and cut to proof with “pure, glacier-fed spring water from Oregon’s Mt. Hood.” The Pendleton Whisky brand was launched in 2003 by Hood River Distillers. In 2017, the brand was acquired by Proximo Spirits, making the brand corporate cousins with Stranahan’s Rocky Mountain Single Malt Whiskey, Tincup Bourbon and Rye, Bushmills Irish Whiskey, and Jose Cuervo tequila, among others.
If you’ve had the original Pendleton Whisky, you will find this to be a bit fruitier, as a portion of the whisky used in the blend was finished in American brandy barrels. Ok, let’s dig in.
Pendleton Midnight
Purchase Info: $37.99 for a 750 mL bottle at Viking Liquor Barrel, Prior Lake, MN.
Price per Drink (50 mL): $2.53
Details: 45% ABV. Some of the whisky used in this blend was finished in American brandy barrels.
Nose: Caramel, honey, and red fruit.
Mouth: Red fruits, ginger, molasses, and caramel.
Finish: Medium in length and warmth. Notes of honey, red fruits, and cinnamon.
Thoughts: This is quite nice. It's a decent step up from the standard Pendleton release. It's more full-flavored and not as gentle. The brandy barrel finish really comes through, bringing a lot of red fruit notes to all facets of the experience. It's sweet and very tasty. I like it.
Did you enjoy this post? If you want to support the work going on here at BourbonGuy.com, please consider a one-time donation at ko-fi.com/bourbonguy or paypal.me/BourbonGuy. Or you could buy some merch that I’ve designed and/or built (tasting journals, stickers, pins, signs, posters, and more) at BourbonGuyGifts.com.