"Aged 12 Years"
Canadian Rye Whiskey
Imported and Bottled by Hood River Distillers (Oregon)
40% ABV
paid $34
Color: medium brown with a slight reddish tint.
Nose: really interesting. Syrup was the first thing that came to mind. And strawberry/cherry fruit snacks. There isn't a ton of information listed on the bottle or online regarding the specific components or aging philosophy, but to me it almost smells like it's seen time in sherry casks. There's also quite a bit of a leather smell, as well as something musty and almost ashy. Complex, but not as pleasing as it is...jumbled.
Taste: syrupy sweetness upfront. Same mix of imitation cherry/strawberry fruit snacks shows up as well. And...that's pretty much it. At 40% ABV, it goes down really smooth, and nothing more comes into play on the midpalate or on the finish aside from a slight "poof" of subtle, tired old wood in the aftertaste.
Overall: I had never seen this whiskey before, so picked it up out of curiosity and the age statement. Their advertising (website) claims:
"Featuring round, rich notes of tobacco, charred oak and butterscotch with a spicy rye kick and peppery heat, Pendleton® 1910 Rye Whisky is rounded out by the smoothness of maple and sweet cherry to provide a weighty and balanced, yet complex, flavor profile."
Of this, I would say maple, cherry (imitation cherry), and tobacco are fair. That said, they are not anywhere close to in balance, and the whole thing is just really awkward. If there was any spicy rye kick or peppery heat/oak for contrast, it could be a different story. However, my best guess is that they got a sweet deal on sourcing some old okay whiskey, and are trying to market their way to a compelling offering. I'm going to mix this with the 6 month Dad's Hat to see what happens, as this super sweet rye could do interesting things to the oak bomb that goes off during the DH mid-palate.
