OutdoorHub Profile: Pendleton Midnight Blended Whisky
Nicolas Lenze 07.14.23
Some people will drink anything. I used to be that way, but as I advanced in…wisdom, well call it, I really gravitated toward whisky. Tequila is a close second, but the majority of bottles I interact with are filled with delicious, smooth, brown liquid. Most of what I drink is single malt scotch. As it is with women, every style deserves respect for its own flavor profile, so I’ve been giving Canadian whiskies a go. My most recent acquisition is Pendleton Midnight, a 90-proof blended whisky. With the end of summer approaching, we’re getting in as much camping as possible. Our next camp will include another family, so I also want a spirit with an easy-to-make and refreshing cocktail. Let’s see if this fits the bill.
Alcohol coverage on OutdoorHub
- OutdoorHub Profile: Keeping it Old-School With Pendleton Original
- 5 of the Best Late Fall Beers for Deer Camp
- Beer Hunting: The 5 Best Microbrews in Wisconsin for your Next Outdoor Adventure
Pendleton Midnight Blended Whisky: Specifications
- Alcohol percentage: 45%
- Size: 750 ml or 50 ml
- Age: Up to six years
- Barrels used: American brandy
- MSRP: $30 to $40
Taste With Your Eyes
Pendleton Midnight is the perfect name for this whisky. The black label matches the midnight sky, while the deep, earthy brown of the whisky is reminiscent of the leather saddles used by those who work from sun up to sun down. The dark color gives us a clue to the depth of flavor, and how much influence the American brandy barrels had during the aging process.
The bottle is enhanced with simple details and a well-designed label. The Pendleton Whisky logo reminds us of its origin in the world of rodeo. The bottle features the words “Let’er Buck”, foreshadowing the bucking good time you’re about to have as you share the bottle with your closest friends and family.
Taste With Your Tongue
The true test of good whisky is how it smells, tastes, and lingers when it’s enjoyed on its own. The first glass was poured neat, with a few drops of water to release the embedded flavors. My wife and I sat on our patio and let the whisky sit on our tongues, while the summer sky entertained us with streaks of lightning.
Bringing the glass to my nose, I immediately picked up smells of cinnamon and earth. The website describes the nose as having notes of leather, which I mostly agree with. It’s less of a smell of leather and more of a feeling of leather. Leather gloves, leather saddles, and dust kicked up while tending to the land. It embodies the attitude of that type of life. The flavor is certainly not light. Pendleton Whisky also has suggested drinks on its website. My wife and I are boozy brunch lovers, so the Midnight Shindig, which mixes Pendleton Midnight whisky with champagne, aromatic bitters, and sugar was right up our alley. If you’d like to try it for yourself, read the recipe here.
The resulting drink tasted like an afternoon nap. The bubbles from the champagne make the drink feel light and refreshing, even when using a whisky with such a strong flavor. We already had all of the ingredients, so we proceeded to empty the champagne bottle and have a few Midnight Shindigs each. Tomorrow might hurt a little.
Taste With Your Brain
Pendelton Midnight whisky is a great next step if you enjoy their Original whisky. It’s a bit of a quality upgrade, but it’s not only an upward move. Midnight isn’t the same whisky that’s aged longer. The flavors are completely different and give you a unique experience when compared to Pendleton’s other spirits.
Whiskies can be a bit heavy. Pendleton Midnight is full-bodied, and for those who don’t usually drink whisky, it might be a bit bold. Having mixed drinks on Pendleton’s website is a great way to make sure that brown liquor beginners can also learn to enjoy what this bottle has to offer. The Midnight Shindig is a light and refreshing drink that can be enjoyed in any season, especially in the hot summer months.
Obviously, this won’t compete with a 20-year-old single malt scotch, but it doesn’t need to. This is for a different mood. This is for sitting by the campfire. I like that it can be consumed neat or mixed, making it versatile. Adding to the excitement is its affordability. Usually, inexpensive means cheap. Here, you’re getting a very good whisky when compared to similarly priced bottles from other popular brands.
Pendleton Midnight will be put into my usual rotation. If you come to my birthday and bring a bottle as a gift, you’ll be on my good list! If you’re interested in picking up a bottle, you can find it locally through the Pendleton Whisky website. Make sure you follow along on social media for more. You can find Pendleton on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest. This bottle is currently on its way to empty. Wait. Is it still Wednesday?
