Pendleton 1910 Canadian Whisky
Review: Pendleton 1910 (Aged 12 Years) Canadian Whisky 87/100
a review by Chip Dykstra (Aka Arctic Wolf)
March 07, 2017
Pendleton 1910 Canadian Whisky is a 100 % Canadian Whisky. The spirit is produced and aged in Calgary Alberta, and then transported to Oregon where it is brought to bottling proof by Hood River Distillers using the glacial fed waters from Mt. Hood. The whisky is named to honour the year of the very first Pendleton Round-up, which is a respected rodeo in Pendleton, Oregon. In fact, Pendleton Whisky sponsors numerous rodeos, including the aforementioned the Pendleton Round-Up, the Cheyenne Frontier Days, and the Walla Walla Frontier Days.
According to the company website, the whisky is crafted from 100 % rye, distilled and oak-aged in Canada for 12 years. (I was able to confirm that the whisky is distilled by Alberta Distillers Limited (ADL) in Calgary, Alberta. ADL is the largest distiller of rye whisky in the world.)
In the Bottle 4/5
As mentioned above, the naming of the Pendleton 1910 pays homage to the year of the first Pendleton Round-Up. The whisky comes packaged in a 750 ml bottle which features embossed detailing replicating the detailed tooling which appears on a typical rodeo saddle. It also features an embossed detail of the famous Pendleton Round-Up bucking horse. The bottle is topped with nice straight sided cork.
In the Glass 8.5/10
The whisky displays a pale gold colour in the glass and the initial nose is of gentle rye spices. Some sandalwood and oak lie under the rye and the overall effect of this combination is most pleasing. I notice some light honey scents and a pleasant drifting of vanilla.
The oak deepens over time and a few scents of charcoal are added to the fray. Some mild baking spices evolve (ginger, nutmeg and ever so light scents of cinnamon), and as the glass sits even longer, the whisky reveals more as I now sense maple syrup and butter on hot toasted white bread. I like how the sweet scents of honey, butterscotch and maple are mingling playfully with the hotter, spicier oak and rye.
In the Mouth 53/60
The Pendleton 1910 is sweet and spicy. It displays sweet honey and butterscotch complimented beautifully by a spicy oak and rye presence. I taste real cereal grain in the glass, mostly rye grain, but also hints of sweeter corn. Fresh tobacco, sandalwood, cardamom and ginger add to the spicy rye flavour. A delicate dusting of cinnamon heats up the palate further while the honey, maple and butterscotch continue to provide just the right amount of sweetness to counterbalance the heat. There is a light compliment of vanilla, some firm impressions of freshly separated straw and chaff, and a bit of charred wood that all seem to find the right place in the whisky.
In the Throat 13/15
Along with the sweet tastes of butterscotch and honey, and the spicy presence of rye and ginger, I also taste a real citrus presence in the exit. Effervescent grapefruit, orange peel zest and just a hint of fresh lime all linger on the palate after the whisky is swallowed. White pepper heats everything up, and then sweeter green pepper fades from our view.
The Afterburn 8.5/10
Pendleton 1910 reminds me of why I love rye whisky! The combination of spicy rye and sweet butterscotch is just about perfect for me. This whisky has a slightly fuller flavour and more body than its younger sibling Pendleton (Let er Buck), and my scoring for both whiskies reflects my enthusiasm for what is happening at Hood River.
You may read some of my other Whisky Reviews (click the link) if you wish to have some comparative reviews.
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Suggested Recipe
Canadian Rye Whisky is great for long tall cocktails to drink on the back deck during warm evenings after all the work is done. Here is a nice summer recipe:
The Woodcutter
1 1/2 oz Pendleton 1910 Canadian Whisky
3/4 oz Triple Sec
3/4 oz Lime Juice
4 large ice cubes
dry apple cider
Mix the first three ingredients in a tall Collins glass with ice
Lengthen the drink with dry apple cider
Enjoy!!
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As usual, you may interpret the scores I provide as follows:
0-25 A spirit with a rating this low would actually kill you.
26-49 Depending upon your fortitude you might actually survive this.
50 -59 You are safe to drink this…but you shouldn’t.
60-69 Substandard swill which you may offer to people you do not want to see again.
70-74 Now we have a fair mixing rum or whisky. Accept this but make sure it is mixed into a cocktail.
75-79 You may begin to serve this to friends, again probably still cocktail territory.
80-84 We begin to enjoy this spirit neat or on the rocks. (I will still primarily mix cocktails)
85-89 Excellent for sipping or for mixing!
90-94 Definitely a primary sipping spirit, in fact you may want to hoard this for yourself.
95-97.5 The Cream of the Crop
98+ I haven’t met this bottle yet…but I want to.
Very loosely we may put my scores into terms that you may be more familiar with on a Gold, Silver, and Bronze medal scale as follows:
70 – 79.5 Bronze Medal (Recommended only as a mixer)
80 – 89.5 Silver Medal (Recommended for sipping and or a high quality mixer)
90 – 95 Gold Medal (Highly recommended for sipping and for sublime cocktails.)
95.5+ Platinum Award (Highest Recommendation)
The Rum Howler Blog 
TheOldPhart said
Rye whiskey is a favorite and a weakness. Consequently, I fell in love with Pendleton 1910. In my opinion, this Rye Whiskey has set the mark against which all other Rye Whiskeys will be compared!
CBrown said
Nice rye, no doubt about it. Your’e a hard man on the scoring though. If ever a bottle in this price category deserved a 5 for presentation this is it 😉
Stan said
my oh my…. the first taste was amazing… It is very sweet, kind of reminds me of a rum without the molasses… And you are correct about the butterscotch…. But i do like it… I’ll have to get a couple more bottles….