Deschutes Brewery in cooperation with Bendistillery release the award-winning Black Butte Whiskey.

Press Release

Bend, Oregon – Deschutes Brewery and Bendistillery are pleased to announce the fourth annual release of their limited Black Butte Whiskey collaboration, just in time for the holidays. Bendistillery’s Crater Lake Spirits joined forces with Deschutes to create a unique beer-based whiskey as a result of an idea spawned decades ago through conversations over beers between Jim Bendis, founder of Bendistillery, and Gary Fish, founder of Deschutes Brewery. The limited release of Black Butte Whiskey has gained an almost cult-like following from both craft beer and spirits fans.

Black Butte Whiskey, winner of the 2019 Best of Show, Double Gold at the Sunset Magazine International Spirits Competition, will be available for sale to the public starting Friday, Dec. 6, at 6pm at Bendistillery’s Crater Lake Spirits Downtown Tasting Room located at 1024 NW Bond Street in Bend, Oregon.

“The excitement around each release just keeps growing every year,” said Alan Dietrich, CEO of Bendistillery. “Our customers value this truly unique, high-quality beverage, something both Bendistillery and Deschutes Brewery are known for.”

Black Butte Whiskey is a true American malt whiskey distilled from the wash of Deschutes Brewery’s famed Black Butte Porter beer. It is double-distilled and aged for 3 years in new #4 char American oak barrels. The resulting spirit is a balanced yet complex whiskey that retains the malty, chocolaty notes of Black Butte Porter, Deschutes Brewery’s flagship beer, and finishes with the soft, nearly sweet, character.

“Black Butte Whiskey beautifully showcases Bendistillery and Deschutes Brewery as pioneers in adult beverages,” said Mike Rowan, food and beverage director at Deschutes Brewery. “We’ve always been committed to experimentation and innovation in creating delicious, approachable beverages to create extraordinary experiences for our customers.”

Black Butte Whiskey pours are available year-round at both Deschutes Brewery pubs, and the Portland International Airport pub. Both the Bend and Portland pubs feature an exclusive barrel-aged Manhattan that will be available Friday to celebrate the release as well.