PENDLETON WHISKY

Founded in 1934, Hood River Distillers is the Northwest's oldest and largest importer and producer of distilled spirits. Pendleton Blended Canadian Whisky, Pendleton 20-Year-Old Director's Reserve Whisky, Broker's London Dry Gin, Cockspur Rums, Yazi Ginger Vodka, Knickers Irish Cream Whiskey, ULLR Nordic Libation and Spudka Vodka are just a few of the nearly 50 different labels and brands distributed by the company.

For more information on product availability, call our sales office: 503-574-3693. Where legal, HRD products can also be purchased online at www.samswine.com.

 

Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Hamley Steakhouse and Saloon in Pendleton, Ore. Creates New Pendleton Whisky Sagebrush Cocktail

The Sagebrush is one cool summer drink

HOOD RIVER, Ore.—Pendleton Whisky, a rising star in the spirits world, is now featured in a new cocktail created at one of the most notable western bars in the United States.

Hamley Steakhouse and Saloon of Pendleton, Ore., has begun serving the Sagebrush to its guests and expects that the new cocktail will be a big hit when the 2008 Pendleton Round-Up rolls into town Sept. 6-13.

John Cupp, Hamley’s lead bartender, said the drink contains Pendleton Whisky from Oregon’s own Hood River Distillers, muddled orange rind and sage, orange juice, triple sec and ginger ale served over ice.  He describes it as “a really crisp cocktail,” perfect for those hot weather days just ahead.

Following is the recipe so you can make your very own flavorful cocktail this summer:

The Sagebrush

Pendleton Whisky Cocktail from Hamley Steakhouse and Saloon, Pendleton, Ore.

• 1 ½ ounces Pendleton Whisky
• Fresh sage leaves (four to six stripped from stem)
• Fresh orange slice
• ½ ounce triple sec
• ½ ounce fresh squeezed orange juice
• ½ ounce fresh squeezed lime juice
• Ginger ale

In a 12-ounce glass, muddle sage leaves with orange slice by pressing end of wooden spoon firmly against the leaf and the orange slice.  Add liquids and pour all into a Collins glass half-filled with ice cubes. Top off with ginger ale and garnish with an orange slice and a sage leaf.

 

Other popular Pendleton Whisky drinks served at Hamley’s are the Pendleton Pucker and the Rusty Pendletonian, both created by bartender John Cupp.  However, most bar patrons prefer Pendleton up, on the rocks or mixed with a cola drink.

Pendleton is hands-down the best-selling whisky at Hamley Steakhouse and Saloon and during the Pendleton Round-Up, Hamley’s goes through more than 20 cases of the smooth, premium product.  Down the street, the Pendleton Liquor Store also stocks up for the Round-up.  In 2007, the liquor store ordered 950 cases, or 8,160 bottles that were purchased by people who appreciate the true spirit of the West.

A portion of Pendleton Whisky’s proceeds go toward supporting the Round-Up each year.

Hamley Steakhouse and Saloon, located at 30 S.E. Court Ave., is the premier dining establishment in Pendleton, Ore. The restaurant and bar adjoin Hamley’s, one of the oldest working saddle shops in America,  and even with the addition of the new Hamley Steakhouse and Saloon, the building maintains an 1880s appearance. High-quality oak and mahogany woods, a tin-stamped burgundy ceiling and a 6-foot chandelier add to the ambience of an Old West gathering place.  Hamley’s offers intimate dining in the wine cellar, seating for 50 in the Cattle Barons Room and additional seating in the main dining hall.

Founded in 1934, Hood River Distillers is the Northwest’s oldest and largest importer, producer and bottler of distilled spirits.  Pendleton Whisky, Broker’s London Dry Gin, Cockspur Rums, Yazi Ginger Vodka, Knickers Irish Cream Whiskey, ULLR Nordic Libation and Spudka Vodka are just a few of the nearly 50 different labels and brands distributed by the company.  For more information, visit www.hrdspirits.com or contact the company’s sales office at 503-574-3693.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Largest Delivery of Hood River Distillers' Pendleton Whisky Slated Aug. 22 for Pendleton Liquor Store

Round-Up Rodeo Fans Projected to Buy 950 Cases

PENDLETON, Ore.— From Louisiana bull riders to East Coast urban cowboys with a fascination for rodeos, the Pendleton Liquor Store is preparing to greet them all during the Pendleton Round-Up and sell a record number of bottles of Hood River Distillers’ Pendleton Whisky during the week-long event.

In preparation for the September 8-15 Round-Up, the largest-ever delivery of Pendleton Whisky will be made at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, at the Pendleton Liquor Store, 237 S.W. Emigrant Ave.  Then the unloading will begin—950 cases, or 8,160 bottles.

On hand to celebrate the occasion will be Pendleton’s mayor, Philip W. Houk, Butch Thurman, 2007 president of the Pendleton Round-Up board of directors, and representatives of Hood River Distillers.

The liquor store’s owner, Greg Roland, said he wanted to have plenty of the $26.95-a-bottle Pendleton in stock, not only for the Round-Up, but also for the hundreds of people who want to take it home—by the single bottle or several cases—in a car trunk, pickup truck or even a horse trailer.

“For those of you who remember it, Pendleton Whisky has some of the same caché Coors beer had many years ago.  People will drive hundreds of miles to buy it,” he said of the product, which was introduced in 2003.

Last year, a Wyoming rancher wrote a check for $11,000 and purchased every single bottle of a commemorative 20-year-old Pendleton Whisky at $75 per bottle, making it the largest single purchase—dollar-wise—In Pendleton Liquor Store’s history.

Roland said consumers seem to think when they buy it in Pendleton, “it’s from the source, but actually it is a very popular product imported and marketed by Hood River Distillers of Hood River, Oregon,” he noted.

Founded in 1934, Hood River Distillers is the Northwest’s oldest and largest importer and producer of distilled spirits. Pendleton Whisky, Broker’s London Dry Gin, Cockspur Rum, Knickers Irish Cream Whiskey, ULLR Schnapps and Spudka Vodka are just a few of the nearly 50 different labels and brands distributed by the company. For more information, call 503-574-3693 or visit www.HRDspirits.com.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Pendleton Canadian Whisky Stampedes into the Market

Hood River Distiller Unbridles the Spirit of the Wild West, Introduces New High-End, Premium Canadian Whisky

HOOD RIVER, Ore.—­ When it comes to great Canadian whisky, Hood River Distillers is ready for a showdown in the true spirit of the Wild West.
       
What sets Pendleton Canadian Whisky apart from the herd is its authenticity. As a 10-year-old, oak-barrel-aged blended whisky, real Western attitude abounds in this stylish spirit that gets its name from one of the oldest, largest and most prestigious rodeos in the West -­ the Pendleton Round Up in Pendleton, Oregon.  In fact, the Round-Up’s own bucking horse symbol and “Let’er Buck” slogan are highlighted as a main feature of Pendleton Canadian Whisky’s bottle design.
 
Known for attracting the world’s best ropers and riders, Pendleton Canadian Whisky not only captures the Round-Up’s spirit, it also helps ensure its future.  Currently, the product retails in Oregon for $24.95 and a portion of the proceeds from every bottle of Pendleton Canadian Whisky sold benefits the Pendleton Round-Up Association.

“Pendleton Canadian Whisky is about celebrating a bold spirit of independence and preserving what makes the American West unique and special,” said Ron Dodge, president of Hood River Distillers. “What better way to do that than by supporting such a long-standing Western tradition and way of life?”

 

A Range of Potential

According to Hood River Distillers, the time is right for a new premium Canadian whisky, especially one with Western roots as deep as Pendleton.  As one of the largest spirits categories with familiar brands that have been around for years, Hood River Distillers believes consumers are ready for a new spirit that offers a true taste of heritage and authenticity.  Pendleton Canadian Whisky, with its incredibly smooth taste and rich complex flavor, was developed specifically for the discerning whisky drinker.

“Consumers have lots of new choices when it comes to vodkas, rums and gins and now the time is right for a different twist when it comes to Canadian whisky,” said Dodge.

An exclusive Canadian whisky that appeals to Western sensibilities has potential all its own.  According to data from the 2003 Adams Liquor Handbook, a source for data on spirits sales and consumption, 11 Western states lead per capita consumption of Canadian whisky.  Hood River Distillers believes that a new brand that pays homage to the Western way of life will bode well with drinkers in the West, and throughout the U.S.

 

Blazing New Trails

The introduction of Pendleton Canadian Whisky not only promises to make a splash with whisky drinkers, but its introduction marks a fundamental change for Hood River Distillers.  While the company has successfully secured a leadership position for its value and boutique line of spirits in the Northwest, this is the first time in its nearly 70-year history it has created and developed a high-end, premium brand.

“We’re pulling out all the stops with Pendleton.  We’ve spent months searching for and developing the right product and this is it,” said Dodge. “Pendleton marks a turning point in our history and promises to be a flagship product for us.”

No doubt Pendleton Canadian Whisky is the perfect fit with Hood River Distillers’ new direction.  Fiercely independent with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Pendleton embodies many of the same Western ideals as the company that is creating it.  Hood River Distillers has grown from its roots as a maker of fruit wines and brandies, located on the banks of the beautiful Columbia River, to today aggressively positioning itself for national distribution and future growth.  In addition to introducing Pendleton, Hood River Distillers has expanded its boutique line of exceptional spirits discovered from around the globe.