Pendleton Directors' Reserve 20 Year

2019 Edition Nose - Sweet caramel, vanilla, orange zest, hints of chocolate, toffee Taste - Sweet vanilla caramels, creamy butterscotch, hints of chocolate covered oranges, very rich/creamy for the lower proof, dark chocolate, maple syrup Finish - Creamy caramels, milky chocolate, light cinnamon spice, chocolate covered Werthers candies, light maple syrup, oak Score - 87/100 Final Thoughts - Upon pouring into the glass and the first initial nose, I immediately think of a bourbon with the strong caramel/vanilla notes. There seems to be a fairly high corn content as it drinks like a very smooth amazingly not too overoaked bourbon. Without really knowing the mashbill or anything else it's a very inoffensive, very easy drinking bourbon-like whisky. The maple syrup is funnily very Canadian. That being said, it's very easy to drink, but nothing about it screams amazing. It's nicely balanced, a bit on the sweet side with nice caramel/chocolate/maple syrup notes. Sadly the maple syrup notes make it borderline splenda-like, but not quite. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - Maybe Would I buy a bottle? - Probably not another

Alcohol-forward nose with hint of fruit, unique but not particularly great nose. Remarkably smooth palette, nice gentle fruity sweetness with nice strong plum and grape flavour (in a balanced way). Nice viscosity on the tongue, very clean and virtually no alcohol burn. Little bit of a soft plum, cherry finish. Little bit of wood in the finish, doesn’t dominate, leaves room for other flavors. Fantastic sipper, pick up a bottle before people find out how good it is.

Pendleton Directors Reserve Aged 20 years, 40% abv, Canadian whisky bottled in Oregon. Aroma: brandy, fruity, apricots, sweet aroma Taste: brandy like up front, moderate sweetness but not overpowering, minor to medium oak on the back end, light to moderate spice. Very nice whisky, very nice neat or on the rocks. It lost its complexity over time and the sweeter notes slowly started to dominate. Cost: 127 plus tax for a 750 ml Grade: B+/A-

It's quite mellow with some cinnamon, maple, vanilla, nuts, and oil. Higher ABV would be nice. It has a fairly creamy mouthfeel that I enjoy. It's a solid sipper, but nothing too complex or exciting is here. There's a bit of tartness and a dissatisfying bitter-tart herbal flavor grows as I drink more of it. It definitely has that unique Pendleton taste, for good or ill.

Wow! Smooth- easy to drink. Vanilla, sweet, oak notes fill the room after a sip of this whiskey. The age lingers on the tongue and the taste of care permeates the bottle. Nicely done.

Isopropyl and a bit sour on the nose. Extremely light and smooth in the mouth. Buttery. Having trouble placing other flavors.