Beer and whiskey aficionados have an exciting black friday to look forward to next week, as Deschutes Brewery and Bendistillery’s Crater Lake Spirits release the beloved Black Butte Whiskey and a limited edition rare variant version for 2022. The collaboration between Bend, Oregon based companies has been an annual tradition for years, based on a wash of Deschutes Brewery’s famed Black Butte Porter transformed into a whiskey wash and aged for 5 years in new char #4 American White Oak barrels. This year is extra special, as it will be accompanied by a limited edition cask strength version of the original 5-year-old, 94-proof Black Butte Whiskey.

The resulting spirit is a 125.8-proof balanced, yet profoundly complex whiskey featuring strong notes of sweet dark caramel, warm bread, and intense vanilla.  The rich ambered honey appearance is validated by surprisingly sweet and candied almond notes on the palate that evolves into a rich texture with new oak notes and molasses finish. Subtle cocoa and warming spices arise from the porter.

Since its original release, Black Butte Whiskey has gained outstanding national acclaim, most recently Best of Show at Sunset Magazine’s International Spirits Competition with 98 points, and was named Best American Craft Luxury Whiskey by Sunset.

The idea for this unique collaboration between craft brewery and distillery was born over a pint at the original Deschutes Brewery Public House over a decade ago in downtown, Bend, Oregon. Brewed with an artisanal selection of specialty malts and then double-distilled and aged for 5 years in new char #4 American White Oak barrels, the original Black Butte Whiskey is a 94-proof whiskey that retains the malty, chocolatey notes of Black Butte Porter and finishes with a soft, nearly sweet, character.

Bottles of the rare cask strength single barrel whiskey will be available for sale to the public starting Friday, November 25th for “Black Butte Friday” at Crater Lake Spirits Downtown Tasting Room located at 1024 NW Bond Street. A release party will coincide next door at Deschutes Brewery’s pub featuring sample pours and food pairings. Bottle sales will be available at select Oregon liquor stores starting in December. http://www.oregonliquorsearch.com/