Pendleton Whisky is a unique spirit that has a fascinating story behind its production. While it might seem straightforward to determine whether Pendleton Whisky is American made or not, the answer is actually a bit more complex.
Pendleton Whisky is technically a Canadian whisky, as it is distilled in Canada. However, it is important to note that being distilled in Canada does not necessarily mean that a whisky cannot be considered American made. Many whiskies that are popular in the United States, such as Crown Royal and Canadian Club, are also distilled in Canada.
What truly determines whether a whisky can be considered American made is where it is bottled and aged. In the case of Pendleton Whisky, it is bottled by Hood River Distillers in Hood River, Oregon. This means that while the whisky itself is distilled in Canada, it is finished and packaged in the United States.
Ownership also plays a role in determining the origin of a whisky. Pendleton Whisky is owned by Becle, S.A.B., the parent company of Jose Cuervo Tequila. Becle is a Mexican company, which might lead some to question whether Pendleton Whisky can truly be considered American made. However, it is important to note that ownership does not necessarily dictate the origin of a product. Many companies have subsidiaries in different countries, and it is common for spirits to be owned by companies from different parts of the world.
Distribution is another factor to consider when determining the origin of a whisky. Pendleton Whisky is distributed in North America by Proximo Spirits, which is also owned by Becle. This means that while Pendleton Whisky is produced in Canada and owned by a Mexican company, it is distributed within North America, including the United States.
While Pendleton Whisky is technically a Canadian whisky due to its country of distillation, it can also be considered American made to some extent. It is bottled and finished in the United States and distributed within North America. The fact that it is owned by a Mexican company does not necessarily negate its American identity. The world of spirits is complex and often involves global partnerships and collaborations, making it difficult to categorize products solely based on their country of origin.