Just in time for the holidays, Deschutes Brewery, Bend, Ore., and Bendistillery, also of Bend, Ore., dannounce the fourth annual release of their limited Black Butte Whiskey collaboration.

Bendistillery’s Crater Lake Spirits joined forces with Deschutes to create a unique beer-based whiskey as a result of an idea spawned decades ago through conversations over beers between Jim Bendis, founder of Bendistillery, and Gary Fish, founder of Deschutes Brewery.

Black Butte Whiskey will be available for sale to the public starting at 6 p.m. Dec. 6 at Bendistillery’s Crater Lake Spirits Downtown Tasting Room located at 1024 NW Bond St. in Bend, Ore.

 “The excitement around each release just keeps growing every year,” said Alan Dietrich, chief executive officer of Bendistillery, in a statement. “Our customers value this truly unique, high-quality beverage, something both Bendistillery and Deschutes Brewery are known for.” 

Black Butte Whiskey is an American malt whiskey distilled from the wash of Deschutes Brewery’s Black Butte Porter beer. It is double-distilled and aged for 3 years in new No. 4 char American oak barrels. The resulting spirit is a balanced yet complex whiskey that retains the malty, chocolaty notes of Black Butte Porter, Deschutes Brewery’s flagship beer, and finishes with the soft, nearly sweet, character, the companies say.

 “Black Butte Whiskey beautifully showcases Bendistillery and Deschutes Brewery as pioneers in adult beverages,” said Mike Rowan, food and beverage director at Deschutes Brewery.  “We’ve always been committed to experimentation and innovation in creating delicious, approachable beverages to create extraordinary experiences for our customers.”

Black Butte Whiskey pours are available year-round at both Deschutes Brewery pubs, and the Portland International Airport pub. Both the Bend and Portland pubs feature an exclusive barrel-aged Manhattan that will be available Friday to celebrate the release as well.