Pendleton

Pendleton is a Canadian rye whisky distilled in Alberta and filtered through Hood River Distillers in Hood River, Oregon using water sourced from Mount Hood glaciers. Named after the legendary Pendleton Round-Up rodeo, the lineup includes Original (light, vanilla and honey), Midnight (6+ years, American brandy barrel finish, dark fruit and chocolate), 1910 Rye (12-year blended Canadian rye, spice and dried fruit), and Directors’ Reserve (20-year ultra-premium annual limited release).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pendleton a bourbon or a Canadian whisky?

Pendleton is a Canadian whisky — distilled in Alberta, Canada, then shipped to Hood River Distillers in Hood River, Oregon where it is filtered using water from Mount Hood glaciers before bottling. The Canadian origin means it cannot be called bourbon (which must be produced in the United States from a grain bill of at least 51% corn). Canadian whisky has different legal requirements than American bourbon: lighter in body, typically blended from multiple grain distillates, and aged a minimum of three years. Pendleton’s Oregon connection adds the Mount Hood water filtration step but does not change the Canadian whisky designation.

What is the difference between Pendleton Original and Pendleton Midnight?

Original is the lightest and most approachable expression — smooth, sweet, and vanilla-forward, designed for mixing and everyday drinking. Midnight is a substantially more serious expression: aged 6+ years and finished in American brandy barrels, which contribute dark fruit, nuts, and chocolate character on top of the base Canadian whisky. The brandy barrel finish is the key differentiator — brandy casks have held grape spirit that saturates the wood with dried fruit and wine-adjacent character, producing a finish that Canadian whisky aged exclusively in bourbon or new oak casks cannot replicate. Midnight is designed for sipping rather than mixing.