Bend’s Deschutes Brewery and Bendistillery have again teamed up to release Black Butte Whiskey, the American malt whiskey created from the wash of Black Butte Porter. This year, in addition to the standard five-year whiskey, the duo is also releasing a special single barrel cask strength edition, which is 125.8 proof (62.9% ABV).

Press release:

Deschutes Brewery and Bendistillery’s Crater Lake Spirits today announced the exclusive release of a single barrel cask strength Black Butte Whiskey. A limited special edition true American malt whiskey distilled from the wash of Deschutes Brewery’s famed Black Butte Porter and aged in new char #4 American White Oak barrels. 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.

This cask strength debut will be accompanied by the annual release of the original 5-year-old, 94-proof Black Butte Whiskey.

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/

I don’t see the single barrel edition on the oregonliquorsearch.com site, but the regular five-year is listed with a retail price of $64.95 per bottle. I expect the single barrel will cost a bit more.