Oregon has performed a key position in making whiskey for the reason that daybreak of America’s craft distilling motion—certainly one of its main contributions being the birthplace of American malt with McCarthy’s Oregon single malt, which debuted in 1996. Town of Portland is greatest identified for its craft breweries, vigorous meals scene, and kooky repute for weirdness. But it surely’s additionally a whiskey metropolis, with a distilling tradition that dovetails properly with Oregon’s wine and beer background. This tradition stretches far past Portland, spilling throughout the remainder of the state, too. Right here’s a sampling of outstanding distilleries which have helped put Oregon on the whiskey map.
PORTLAND DISTILLERIES
Westward Whiskey
FOUNDED 2004
westwardwhiskey.com
Westward Whiskey wasn’t the primary to brew an ale after which distill it, however the Portland distiller has actually perfected the craft. “We’ve a wealthy brewing historical past within the Northwest, and numerous us at Westward come from the brewing aspect,” says grasp blender Miles Munroe. “It’s a part of our tradition. We really are brewers making whiskey.”
Westward’s course of begins with water from the Bull Run watershed on Mount Hood. A 90-minute mash fabricated from two-row malted barley and ale yeast is ready, cooled, and fermented. Then the distiller’s beer is double distilled in a low-reflux pot nonetheless. The distillate is then entered into evenly charred (stage 2 and three) American oak barrels, the place it’s aged between 4 1/2 and 6 years. “We’re primarily brewing a pale ale, distilling it like a scotch, and growing old it like a bourbon,” notes Munroe.
Westward’s major choices embody its American Single Malt, Cask Power, Oregon Stout Cask, and Pinot Noir Cask—the stout casks are from Westward’s collaborative breweries and the pinot casks are from regional wineries. The distillery additionally produces a number of limited-edition releases every year, and its whiskey membership members get first crack at shopping for a bottle. Excursions and tastings of distillery exclusives ($30) are provided, and there’s a tasting room at Portland Worldwide Airport.
ONE TO TRY
94 Westward Cask Power American Single Malt, 62.5%, $100
Creamy vanilla, baking spice, jalapeño peppers, darkish chocolate, black espresso, and chicory
Eastside Distilling
FOUNDED 2008
eastsidedistilling.com
Eastside Distilling began out as a rum importer situated on Portland’s Distillery Row in 2008. Over the previous 15 years it has expanded its repertoire to tequilas, gins, rums, vodkas, and whiskeys together with bourbon and rye. For its Burnside lineup of whiskeys, Eastside finishes sourced bourbons, ryes, and different whiskeys from across the nation in Quercus garryana casks, in varied toasts and chars, anyplace from 30 to 90 days, relying on the spirit.
In all, the Burnside whiskey portfolio affords customers six expressions, together with West Finish Mix, its workhorse Burnside Oregon Oaked Blended bourbon, Goose Hole RSV, Oregon Oaked rye, Buckman RSV, and Burnside Black Bourbon Casked rye.
Eastside Distilling’s tasting rooms closed in March 2020, however plans are underway to reopen them sooner or later.
ONE TO TRY
89 Eastside Burnside Goose Hole Reserve Bourbon, 46%, $50
Lemon cupcake, candied orange, powdered doughnut, and a drizzle of honey
Bull Run Distilling
ESTABLISHED 2010
bullrundistillery.com
Earlier than turning into a whiskey distiller, Lee Medoff was a winemaker and craft brewer. In 2004 he helped begin Home Spirits Distillery, producing vodka, gin, and single malt. Medoff offered his share of the corporate in 2010 and began Bull Run Distillery, the place he initially targeted on making single malt. After a number of years of manufacturing whiskey on-site, Bull Run took a hiatus from distilling in 2015 as a result of adjustments in Portland’s distillery rules. Medoff shifted focus to its service provider bottling program, sourcing bourbon and rye, whereas additionally barrel-finishing house-made single malt.
“Typically I really feel like a child with a toy chest, with the ability to mess around with all these totally different whiskeys and experiment with ending,” says Medoff. He depends on wineries all through Oregon, Washington, and California for his ending barrels. Bull Run’s American whiskey, completed in pinot noir barrels, has been its most generally out there expression. These anxious to see extra of Bull Run’s single malt can be happy to know its distilling hiatus is coming to an finish. The corporate is now within the ultimate phases of upgrading its facility and can start making its personal whiskeys once more this yr, with the primary launch anticipated in 2027. Lots of Bull Run’s whiskeys, together with small batches of single malt, could be sampled at its tasting rooms in Portland and Carlton.
ONE TO TRY
93 Bull Run 15 yr outdated Pinot Noir Cask Completed Bourbon, 48.89%, $50
Fruit, spice, vanilla, and cinnamon
Additionally Price a Look
Aimsir Disitlling Co.
Based in 2016, Aimsir produces bourbon and cold-brew bourbon, together with gin, vodka, and aquavit. Go to The Emerald Room to style Aimsir’s spirits straight or in a cocktail.
Freeland Spirits
Its bourbon is made with a mashbill of 70% corn, 20% rye, and 10% malted barley and completed in Oregon’s Elk Cove Winery’s pinot noir barrels. Freeland additionally produces gin and Geneva gin. Distillery excursions are provided on Fridays and Sundays and its tasting room affords tastings and cocktails.
New Deal Distillery
Based in 2004, New Deal affords brandy, gin, vodka, liqueurs, and its Distiller’s Reserve whiskey lineup that features a wheat, rye, and bourbon. Stroll-in excursions and samples can be found at its on-site bottle store.
503 Distilling
Gin, vodka, rum, canned cocktails, Gambler 500 whiskey, and draft cocktails could be sampled at 503’s Cocktail Lounge.
Whereas You’re in Portland
PORTLAND STAYS
KEX Lodge
Situated a pair miles from Westward, the KEX Lodge as soon as was an condo constructing that’s now certainly one of Portland’s hottest accommodations. Reworked in a Pacific Northwest- meets-Iceland type, this lodge affords quirky but snug non-public rooms, or rooms with bunk beds when you’re so inclined. There’s a bar and restaurant within the foyer as well.
Jupiter Lodge
Situated on East Burnside Avenue in northeast Portland, the Jupiter is classic Portland with funky rooms. Subsequent door, Jupiter Subsequent is house to Hey Love restaurant, fashionable for its consolation meals and cocktails.
Sentinel Lodge
Considered one of Portland’s oldest accommodations, the Sentinel is listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations and affords a traditional feel and look with a handy location in Portland’s Pearl District.
EAT & DRINK
Jake’s Well-known Crawfish
Situated a hop, skip, and a leap from Bull Run, and subsequent to the Sentinel and Powell’s, Jake’s Well-known Crawfish first opened in 1892 and has an awesome seafood menu. Strive the well-known Dungeness crab truffles or pan-fried oysters.
Produce Row Café
Situated inside strolling distance of Westward Distillery, and within the coronary heart of Portland’s Industrial District, Produce Row Café serves up nice burgers, sandwiches, soups, and a killer beer cheese mac. The environment speaks to its industrial previous; a blue-collar joint with a contact of sophistication.
Goose Hole Inn
With a nod to Eastside Distilling’s Goose Hole Reserve bourbon, discover your strategy to the Portland-famous Goose Hole Inn, house to the self-proclaimed “greatest Reuben on the planet.” And sure, it’s worthy of such reward.
SIDE TRIPS
The Oregon Museum of Science and Trade
OMSI is a good expertise, particularly for somebody touring with youngsters. Together with a submarine tour, OMSI has a planetarium exhibit year-round. Featured displays and first-run films range all year long.
Portland Rock Fitness center
Simply off East Burnside Avenue, Portland Rock Fitness center affords indoor rock-climbing alternatives on its 17-foot boulders and 40-foot climbing wall. Courses can be found for first-timers.
Powell’s Metropolis of Books
The most important unbiased new and used bookstore on the earth, Powell’s is a Portland landmark. It’s potential to spend a whole day right here getting misplaced in a trove of latest, used, and uncommon books and magazines.
DISTILLERIES BEYOND PORTLAND
Hood River Distillers/ Clear Creek Distillery
HOOD RIVER • ESTABLISHED 1985
Oregon’s oldest craft distillery, Clear Creek was based in 1985 when the late Steve McCarthy started making brandy. Quickly after, he traveled to Eire, after which Scotland, and as soon as again in Oregon he was impressed to make America’s first-ever single malt whiskey, and have become without end often known as the pioneer of the type.
Clear Creek was bought by Hood River Distillers in 2014, which moved the operation from Portland to its personal distillery in Hood River, about 60 miles to the east. The power is situated alongside the Columbia River, with Mount Hood mendacity about 15 miles straight south. Along with McCarthy’s whiskey and Clear Creek brandies, Hood River produces a spread of vodkas, gins, and liqueurs.
McCarthy’s single malt is made with water from Mount Hood’s Elliot and Coe glaciers. The mashbill of peated two-row barley is fermented and distilled earlier than being aged in Oregon oak barrels for 3 to six years. Hood River’s Path’s Finish bourbons use an growing old course of just like McCarthy’s, however with a twist. These 8 and 10 yr outdated sourced Kentucky bourbons are completed in Oregon oak barrels, whereas it additionally affords an 8 yr outdated completed in Clear Creek apple brandy barrels. Hood River has a contemporary tasting room within the middle of city, the place you’ll be able to pattern and buy its spirits.
Whereas You’re There
STAY: HOOD RIVER HOTEL In-built 1911, the Hood River Lodge is on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations and situated within the coronary heart of downtown.
EAT & DRINK: CELILO RESTAURANT & BAR Foodies from throughout flock right here to partake in a artistic menu that options seafood, steaks, burgers, and pasta, with a flowery aptitude. Strive the pan-seared salmon or the pan-fried lentil truffles. It encompasses a well-stocked bar with spirits and beers on faucet.
SIDE TRIP: E-BIKE RIDE Windsurfing is the plain alternative in Hood River, however for these much less inclined, lease an electrical bike from Oregon E-Bikes and cruise the Mark O. Hatfield Twin Tunnel Path, a five-mile car-free stretch of the historic Columbia River Freeway.
Additionally Price a Look
Pilot Home Distilling, Astoria
Pilot Home’s lineup consists of A-O single malt and limited-release whiskeys, absinthe, gin, vodka, and extra. Tasting rooms are situated in Astoria, Canon Seaside, and Portland.
ONE TO TRY
95 McCarthy’s 6 yr outdated Oloroso Completed Single Malt (2023), 56%, $120
Smoked meat, barbecue, apple, cherry, bitter chocolate, and charcoal
Crater Lake Spirits
BEND • FOUNDED 1996
It began with a path run via central Oregon’s excessive desert, when Jim Bendis observed the intoxicating scent of the juniper forest. After taking inventory of his environment, Bendis went on to start out a gin distillery in Bend. Since introducing Crater Lake gin in 1996, vodka, rye, and malt whiskey have been added to its lineup. Black Butte malt whiskey is distilled from a wash of Deschutes Brewery’s Black Butte porter that’s then aged in No.-4 char new American oak barrels.
Like tapping into the juniper forests, the historical past of rye grain in central Oregon impressed the corporate’s line of ryes. “There’s an enormous custom of rye grain on this a part of the nation and it grows properly in antagonistic climates,” explains CEO Alan Dietrich.
All of Crater Lake Spirits’ whiskeys are crafted at its Bendistillery in Tumalo—a 15-minute drive from downtown Bend—the place a filtration system makes use of crushed volcanic rock to purify the water. Consider central Oregon’s local weather, the place temperatures can fluctuate by as a lot as 50 levels in a day, and you’ve got a recipe for uniqueness. “There’s an enormous benefit to being right here,” says Dietrich. “A 2 yr outdated product aged right here rivals a 5 yr outdated rye within the southeast or one thing that’s 8 or 9 years outdated in, say, Scotland.”
Crater Lake Spirits has tasting rooms in Bend and at Bendistillery in Tumalo.
Whereas You’re There
STAY: RIVERHOUSE ON THE DESCHUTES E book a room with a view overlooking the Deschutes River. Conveniently situated, the lodge has a pool, sizzling tub, spa, and restaurant with a terrace overlooking the river.
EAT & DRINK: DESCHUTES BREWERY BEND PUBLIC HOUSE A downtown fixture that appeals to locals and vacationers alike. With a draft record that’s as spectacular as it’s expansive. Its menu options good pub fare, together with pizzas, sandwiches, and burgers.
SIDE TRIP: GOLF AT TETHEROW There are over 25 golf programs close to Bend, however none extra spectacular than Tetherow, constantly ranked as one of many high 100 programs within the nation by “Golf Digest.” This semi-private championship course takes non-member tee occasions as much as 180 days upfront.
ONE TO TRY
89 Black Butte 5 yr outdated malt, 47%, $75
Vanilla, malt, darkish chocolate, baking spice, raisins, mint chocolate-chip ice cream, and a barrel-char observe
Department Level Distillery
DAYTON • FOUNDED 2016
When Steven Day launched Department Level, he situated it within the coronary heart of Willamette Valley wine nation, about 30 miles southeast of Portland. His philosophy is that whiskey ought to mirror its place of birth. “We’re attempting to be as authentically Oregon as we are able to, from begin to end,” says Day, who’s head distiller and co-owner along with his spouse Debra, and likewise a practising neurologist.
The native nature of Department Level’s whiskeys is mirrored in its three core choices: Oregon wheat, Trit, and Single Pot Nonetheless. All are predicated on beginning with domestically grown grains. The Single Pot Nonetheless incorporates a huskless barley selection named Buck that was developed by Oregon State College.
In line with conventional distilling strategies, Day makes use of open-top fermenters in a 90-hour course of, then double distills in copper pot stills from Vendome, after which the whiskey is aged in low-char American oak barrels. “Oregon winemakers discuss ‘low intervention’ pinot noir,” he says. “In some methods I’m doing low-intervention whiskey. I’m not forcing the whiskey to be one thing it’s not, however relatively letting the grains come via and present their distinctive flavors.”
Whereas You’re There
STAY: THE DUNDEE HOTEL The Dundee, situated simply 4 miles from Department Level, affords easy accessibility to dozens of eating places, retailers, and wineries within the coronary heart of city. The décor of this contemporary lodge options wine-centric colours and the works of native artists. It has 5 on-site wine tasting rooms from Oregon vintners Night Land, Le Cadeau, North Valley, The Dundee Wine Library, and Cougar Crest.
EAT & DRINK: TINA’S RESTAURANT Tina’s in Dundee makes use of domestically sourced elements to enhance its dishes, and the rack of lamb is a favourite. The wine record is joined by a good number of whiskeys.
SIDE TRIP: BOOK A WINE TOUR Dundee is within the coronary heart of Oregon wine nation and there are a plethora of wineries to select from, together with Stoller Household Property, situated throughout the road from Department Level Distillery.
ONE TO TRY
90 Department Level Trit, 46%, $55
Candy and bitter yeast, semi-sweet chocolate, and evenly roasted espresso
Rogue Spirits Distillery
NEWPORT • BREWERY FOUNDED 2003/DISTILLERY 2006
Rogue Ales & Spirits first made a reputation for itself as a craft brewery earlier than transitioning to spirits; first rum, then gin and vodka, and in 2006 Rogue launched its flagship single malt, Useless Man. “Once we went with whiskey it was a acutely aware resolution to make merchandise of Oregon,” explains head distiller Jake Holshue. “We’ve taken that into the following section with the totally different expressions we are able to make with Useless Man whiskey.”
Rogue whiskeys are handcrafted, from brewing every distinct wash, via distillation in Vendome stills, then growing old and bottling. Situated in Newport, the distillery is a stone’s throw from the Pacific Ocean. “We don’t see excessive fluctuation in temperatures,” says Holshue. “The place we do see extra fluctuation, and actually what makes us distinctive, is we get numerous barometric strain differentiation, particularly with the storms coming off the coast.”
Rogue additionally has its personal cooperage, Rolling Thunder Barrel Works, the place cooper Nate Lindquist crafts roughly one American oak barrel a day. The varied expressions of Useless Man whiskey embody its black label, a stout cask end, and a wine cask end. One made particularly for Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto is Morimoto single malt, with 10% of the malt smoked with cherry and alder woods. All its whiskeys, gins, and vodkas could be tasted on the distillery in Newport, in addition to tasting rooms in Portland (Rogue Eastside Pub & Pilot Brewery) and at Pier 39 Public Home in Astoria.
Whereas You’re There
STAY: NEWPORT BELLE B&B There’s lodging galore in Newport, however none like this 97-foot paddlewheeler that’s completely moored in Yaquina Bay’s South Seaside Marina.
EAT & DRINK: CLEARWATER RESTAURANT A quintessential Oregon Coast restaurant situated on Yaquina Bay, Clearwater affords unbelievable views with a menu that’s wealthy with Oregon seafood.
SIDE TRIP: YAQUINA HEAD LIGHTHOUSE Dip your toes into tide swimming pools, stroll on the seaside, then discover Oregon’s tallest lighthouse at 93 ft.
ONE TO TRY
86 Rogue Useless Man American Single Malt, 40%, $55
Hops, dry nuttiness, grain, and tropical fruit
Ransom Spirits
SHERIDAN • FOUNDED 1997
Ransom Spirits is certainly one of few distilleries in Oregon that grows its personal barley; they accomplish that on a 40-acre natural farm. And whereas that may set Ransom other than different distillers within the state, grasp distiller Matt Cechovic likes to assume it’s solely a part of the rationale. He factors to the distinctive and generally complicated mashbills, distillation course of, and barrels used for growing old. “We put numerous effort into rising the grain and arising with these distinctive mashbills,” he says. “We love the flavors that we get off our pot nonetheless and we don’t need to cowl up that stuff with a bunch of latest oak.”
Ransom whiskeys are distilled in direct-fired French cognac Alembic stills. It mashes and ferments in small batches, incorporating barley grown on its farm with domestically sourced malted barley. Considered one of its signature whiskeys, Rye, Barley, Wheat, incorporates six grains into its mashbill. After distilling, the whiskey is aged in gently used pinot noir barrels. “Utilizing these used barrels, you get the complementary taste of oak, however but the grains nonetheless come via,” provides Cechovic
In 2021 Ransom jumped into the bourbon scene when it launched a mix of its personal 12 yr outdated bourbon and bourbon sourced from Indiana.
Ransom’s spirits could be tasted on the Nice Oregon Wine Co. & Distillery tasting room situated in Dundee, a 30-minute drive from Sheridan.
Whereas You’re There
STAY: THE ALLISON INN & SPA This luxurious resort in Newberg, half-hour from Sheridan, affords palatial rooms, a restaurant, and, after all, a spa.
EAT & DRINK: THE DUNDEE BISTRO Seasonal menus draw from native farms and ranches for house-made pastas, soups, sauces, breads, and pizzas. Its substantial wine record, plus cocktails, completes the expertise.
SIDE TRIP: EVERGREEN AVIATION & SPACE MUSEUM A brief drive from Sheridan, Evergreen Aviation & House Museum is situated in McMinnville, the place Howard Hughes’s Spruce Goose, the world’s largest picket airplane, is on show, together with the SR-71 Blackbird, the quickest jet ever made.
ONE TO TRY
87 Ransom WhipperSnapper, 42%, $30
Candy corn, lemon sweet, wooden, and chocolate
A DESTINATION DISTILLERY
TROUTDALE • ESTABLISHED 1998
All of it started when brothers Brian and Mike McMenamin opened a brewpub in southeast Portland in 1983. Forty years later, the McMenamins’ empire consists of 46 properties all through Oregon and 10 in Washington. These aren’t simply any properties; they’re refurbished buildings on once-abandoned websites—20 of that are on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations—and new buildings constructed with salvaged supplies. They embody accommodations, eating places and pubs, spas, swimming pools, theaters, breweries, bakeries, a espresso roaster, vineyard, creamery, golf, two distilleries, and extra, and supply on-site actions, festivals, and leisure.
Working in what was as soon as a potato shed on a 74-acre poor farm, McMenamins Edgefield Distillery’s head distiller James Whelan leans closely into the corporate’s roots as a craft brewer. In 2002, he was one of many first to embrace the idea of utilizing beer within the distilling course of, producing Hogshead, pot distilled from 100% malted barley.
“The thought behind our whiskey was to mainly distill our personal beer,” says Whelan. “It began out with our unhopped Hammerhead ale.” At the moment, they rotate 4 totally different recipes that begin with beer: their Ruby ale, Terminator stout, Hammerhead ale, and Whelan’s private recipe, Ananda.
As a result of McMenamins’ whiskeys can be found solely at its properties, you will need to go to certainly one of its eating places and pubs to pattern. Bottles can be found at many McMenamins eating places, together with the Edgefield tasting room.
ONE TO TRY
NR Hogshead, 46%, $50
Out there at McMenamins pubs and eating places solely.
Whereas You’re There
STAY: MCMENAMINS EDGEFIELD McMenamins Edgefield consists of 100 visitor rooms, a par-3 golf course, soaking pool, amphitheater, and eating places, plus its personal vineyard, brewery, and distillery full with a bar.
EAT & DRINK: MCMENAMINS EDGEFIELD There’s no want to go away the property when there are 4 eating places to select from, together with the Little Pink Shed, Black Rabbit, Loading Dock Grill, and Energy Station Pub. All serve pub-style meals and McMenamins craft beers, wines, and spirits.
SIDE TRIP: COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE A 20-minute drive east on Interstate 84 will put you within the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Space and historic Multnomah Falls, essentially the most visited attraction within the Pacific Northwest. Make the climb to the highest and look over the 620-foot falls.
