Eastside Distilling
Quick overview of the distillery
Eastside Distilling is an American producer and distiller of a wide range of small-batch spirits with strong roots in the Portland, Oregon scene and a portfolio centered on Burnside whiskeys. The distillery is particularly known for using Quercus garryana (Oregon white oak) in finishing and aging, and combines regional wood tones with both classic bourbon- and rye-craft as well as fruit- and coffee-based specialties.
History
Eastside Distilling has moved from local experiments to national visibility by building a portfolio spanning Burnside whiskeys to specialties such as Marionberry Whiskey and Hue-Hue Coffee Rum. The company notes that they first produced bourbon in Oregon in 2012, and the strategic use of purchased whiskey lots combined with local barrels and finishes has been central to development. A notable milestone was the release of Burnside Buckman RSV, created as an anniversary release by blending 8-, 10-, and 14-year-old bourbons and aging them in charred Quercus garryana barrels. In recent years Eastside has also gained competitive recognition for several of their products and expanded collaborations with local partners in coffee and raw-material sourcing.
Raw materials and production
Production blends traditional American whiskey principles with regional choices. Eastside works with classic mashbills (corn, malted barley, rye) and composes many of their expressions by blending purchased whiskey lots from larger suppliers and individual craft producers. A clear part of their craft is the use of Quercus garryana barrels for toasting, charring and finishing, as well as a willingness to rest/secondary-age to draw out particular aromatic components. For their Hue-Hue Coffee Rum they use cold-brewed, single-origin and fair-trade coffee from Guatemala and collaborate with local roasters. In the rye segment, unconventional grain ratios are described and a focus on yielding fruitiness and honeyed undertones rather than only spicy heat.
Maturation and barrel types
The main maturation tool is Quercus garryana, the native Oregon white oak. The distillery uses both toasted and charred Garryana barrels to age or finish both bourbon and rye blends. Examples include resting blended 8/10/14-year-old bourbons in charred Garryana casks and shorter resting periods (e.g., 70 days) for certain small-batch releases. The cool, humid climate effect in the Pacific Northwest is noted as contributing to slower evaporation and a denser flavor development in the barrels.
Whiskeys
The portfolio includes several Burnside whiskeys (Oregon Oaked Bourbon, Oregon Oaked Rye, West End Blend, Goose Hollow Reserve, Buckman RSV) along with Eastside-named expressions such as Aged Straight Bourbon, Sherry Cask Single Malt, Small Batch Rye, and Oregon Marionberry Whiskey. In addition to whiskey, Eastside also produces spirits such as Hue-Hue Coffee Rum and various vodkas and rums, but the core of their whiskey offering is the regional approach through Garryana barrels and small-batch blending.
| Whisky | Type / Series | Alcohol | Age | Cask & Style | Flavor Profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burnside Buckman RSV Bourbon | Bourbon (blended) | Blend of 8, 10 and 14 years | Charred Quercus garryana casks; finish: rested in charred Garryana casks for about 10 months | An anniversary release blended from 8-, 10-, and 14-year-old bourbons, aged in charred Garryana casks to draw out dessert-like tannins and spice.; Nose: Toffee, maple and vanilla with notes of charcoal and clove in the background; Finish: Slowly revealed by charcoal-like notes and spice (char/clove) | Current; Core range | |
| Burnside Oregon Oaked Bourbon | Bourbon | Quercus garryana oak casks (finish); finish: Finished/aged in Quercus garryana | Bourbon expression finished in Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana) to add regional wood tones. Highlighted in the portfolio as spiced, sweet and full-bodied.; Finish: Toasted oak aging | Current; Core range | ||
| Burnside Oregon Oaked Rye | Rye Whiskey | 46 % | Quercus garryana casks (finish); finish: Aged and/or finished in Oregon oak | A Burnside rye aged/finished in Quercus garryana casks that seeks to highlight subtle fruit and mint notes rather than burny heat.; Nose: Mint and stone fruit with honeyed undertones | Current; Core range | |
| Burnside West End Blend | Blend (American whiskies) | Toasted Oregon Oak (kiss); finish: Light toasted Oregon oak contact for earthy character | A mix of American whiskies of different ages and mashbills with a touch of toasted Oregon oak to create an approachable, earthy sipping experience. | Current; Core range | ||
| Burnside Goose Hollow Reserve | Straight Bourbon (small batch) | Quercus garryana casks (70 days resting); finish: Aged straight bourbons blended and then aged 70 days in Garryana casks | A small-batch straight bourbon blend that gains a distinctive finish via short resting in Quercus garryana casks.; Finish: Warm notes of vanilla and ripe plum in harmony with oak | Current; Core range | ||
| Oregon Marionberry Whiskey | Flavoured Whiskey (marionberry infused); Eastside | Whiskey infusion with marionberry; developed to preserve the fruit’s character without added colorants or extracts. Described by the Master Distiller/Blender with clear fruit and berry notes.; Nose: Strong aroma of mango, raspberry and blackberry developing into sweeter scents; Taste: Intense fresh marionberries that quickly develop into spice and citrus; Finish: Long-lasting finish with warm young whiskey heat and baked dryness | Current; Core range | |||
| Eastside Aged Straight Bourbon Whiskey | Bourbon | Aged / straight (aged) | One of Eastside’s branded bourbon releases in their lineup; noted as part of Eastside’s products. | Current; Core range | ||
| Eastside Sherry Cask Single Malt | Single Malt (sherry cask finish) | Sherry casks; finish: Sherry cask influence noted | A single malt release with sherry-cask component in the Eastside portfolio. | Current | ||
| Eastside Small Batch Rye | Rye | Small batch | Toasted / Oregon oak finish (generally noted) | A smaller-batch rye whiskey from Eastside, noted as part of their products and small-batch approach. | Current; Core range |
The whiskies’ style and flavor profile
The whiskies display recurring traits of fruitiness, dessert-like tannins, and spice. The Buckman release is described with toffee, maple and vanilla combined with charcoal and clove; the Oregon Oaked Bourbon is noted with hints of peach, allspice and toasted oak; Marionberry Whiskey draws on intense berry notes (mango, raspberry, blackberry) developing into spice and brandy notes. These directions recur across several products and show a focus on balancing fruit, sweet tannin from Garryana and spicy complexity.
Philosophy and craft
Eastside consistently works with small-batch production, local collaborations, and a deliberate avoidance of fillers and artificial additives in certain products. For Hue-Hue this means using free-trade single-origin coffee and cold-brew methods; in product development, raw-material integrity is prioritized. At the same time, they experiment with packaging formats and finish methods to combine functionality, flavor and environmental considerations.
Sustainability
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Collaboration with free-trade single-origin coffee growers to support farming communities (Hue-Hue).
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Conscious choice of packaging formats (e.g., cans for canned cocktails) for functionality and environmental impact.
Awards and recognition
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Finalist (Ultimate Spirits Challenge) - Azuñia Black Extra-Aged Añejo Tequila (2020, Finalist (score 94))
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Finalist (Ultimate Spirits Challenge) - Hue-Hue Coffee Rum (2020, Finalist (score 92))
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Double Gold / Best of Category (competitions noted) (Double Gold; Best of Category (Burnside Oregon Oaked Rye noted as winner), Burnside Oregon Oaked Rye)
Latest news
Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2020 Results – 2020-09-15
Azuñia Black Extra-Aged Añejo Tequila and Hue-Hue Coffee Rum were named finalists in the Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2020 with scores of 94 and 92, respectively. The write-up highlights the blind tastings and the judges’ panel as well as earlier prizes for Azuñia and Hue-Hue.