Oregon Bourbon Update/Correction

A Correction.    Recently I highlighted Oregon Bourbon on KGW’s Portland Today.  Since that time, I have learned that Burnside Blended Bourbon from Eastside Distilling does not meet the standard of what I intended to present to you.

My intent was to present Bourbons that were produced entirely in Oregon.  I made my selections at a recent Oregon distilled products event in Portland.  I questioned all producers there on their sourcing and processes.

As it turns out, despite what I understood from Eastside Distilling at the event, their Bourbon did not meet my criteria for inclusion.  It is not produced entirely in Oregon, and that may make a difference for some of you.

Eastside Distilling and several other Oregon distilleries produce Bourbon from whiskey distilled in other states, and imported into Oregon.  It is not unusual to purchase distilled products and finish under your own label. These whiskeys may be blended, aged in oak, and bottled and labeled in Oregon.  Maybe even the barrels may be made from Oregon oak.

I might have chosen one of several other bourbons made in this fashion, bourbons I preferred to Burnside. But, my intent was to highlight only those that were made entirely in Oregon. 

Eastside Distilling is still a local business and their marketing information states they use Oregon oak in their aging process. Their bourbon is not a bad choice but they do not meet the same “made entirely in Oregon” standard of the other two bourbons I presented ( New Deal and Oregon Spirit).  I strive to be honest and transparent in my recommendations, and I apologize for the earlier misinformation.