Crater Lake Black Butte 5 Year Old Whiskey
Crater Lake Black Butte 5 Year Old Whiskey is a 47% ABV (94 proof) American malt whiskey in a 750mL bottle — distilled by Crater Lake Spirits in Bend, Oregon, from the wash of Deschutes Brewery's famed Black Butte Porter, then double-distilled and aged five years in new #4 char American oak. Malty, chocolatey porter character meets soft, nearly sweet oak. Best in Show, Sunset Magazine 2019 International Spirits Competition. Order it online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 47% (94 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Age: 5 years in new #4 char American oak barrels
- Mash: distilled from Deschutes Black Butte Porter wash + specialty malts; double-distilled
- Recognition: Best in Show + Double Gold, Sunset Magazine 2019; Gold/92 pts, Beverage Tasting Institute; Best American Craft Luxury Whiskey, Sunset
When a Porter Becomes a Whiskey
The idea was born over pints at the Deschutes public house in downtown Bend: take the wash of Black Butte Porter — the brewery's flagship, brewed with an artisanal selection of specialty malts — and run it through Crater Lake's stills twice. Five years in new charred oak later, the beer's chocolate-malt soul is still in there, wrapped in caramel, toffee, tobacco and leather. The first 3-year release landed in 2016; the 5-year (first released December 2020) is the one that won everything. Explore more whisky, browse Crater Lake, or shop Oregon craft spirits at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
Nose: deep caramel, oak, chocolate. Palate: toffee and caramel up front, dark malts, chocolate, sweet dark fruit. Finish: tobacco, leather, lingering oak, soft and nearly sweet.
How to Enjoy
Neat to catch the porter character, or over a large cube. A natural pour for craft-beer lovers crossing over — and for whiskey drinkers who think they've tasted everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it really made from beer? Yes — distilled from the fermented wash of Deschutes Black Butte Porter, then double-distilled and aged 5 years in new oak. It's a true American malt whiskey.
What is the proof? 94 proof (47% ABV).
What awards has it won? Best in Show and Double Gold at Sunset Magazine's 2019 International Spirits Competition, plus Gold and 92 points from the Beverage Tasting Institute.
Beer soul, whiskey bones — order Black Butte 5 Year online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.