Hey folks, mark your calendar for 12 November 2010, when the next gathering of Whiskies of the West commences in Ellensburg, Washington at the Clymer Museum of Western Art. Just go and visit www.WhiskiesoftheWest.com !

Probably one of the best examples of old-timey packaging is found in a bottle of Bulleit bourbon, which calls itself "frontier" whiskey. The product inside is some good stuff, boy!

There was a time long ago when Kentucky actually was the wild frontier, but we know that it's out here in the West that most folks still consider being the frontier. Frontier as a word comes to us from the French (frontière) and it simply means the border or boundary. We mean it to imply the border between the known and the unknown, or the union of states and its western territories. These days, the frontier is now generally referred to as the land west of the Mississippi River, long after the West was won.

Gold Buckle Club, made in Ellensburg, Washington, is also a frontier-style whisky, but it is the real McCoy. Crafted out West from only Washington-grown barley and native brewer's yeast and high-purity water, the brand "honours those sturdy folk who ride work and play hard....here's to those who blaze a new trail every day."

The slogan for the brand, proclaimed on every bottle, is "Hang on to your hat!" which could signify a couple of things. An experienced rider never loses his hat, or, "prepare yourself for something that is great tasting and goes down nicely." Some folks also say that the slogan refers to how windy it can get in the Kittitas Valley. All three things happen to be true.

I get asked if Pendleton is similarly a frontier whisky. No. Pendleton has a loyal following, but it is made east of the Mississippi River, and north of the border in Windsor, Ontario.

What? Pendleton is actually Canadian whisky?

Pendleton whisky, a great marketing success story, is Canadian Club whisky that did not make the grade at their distillery and is offered for sale on the bulk market to Hood River Distillers in Oregon.

So, what's the connection to Pendleton?

$0.50 per bottle gets paid to the Pendleton Rodeo Association for the use of the "Let 'er Buck" slogan. That's the only connection. It's not made in that great town, not bottled there, but it is sure sold there and all over the West. Lots of it, so it is a true marketing success story, because it turns out that consumers don't care where their favorite whisky is made, so long as they identify with what the brand stands for. Or do they? I will wager a bet that whisky drinkers do care, and that they derive plenty of gratification from knowing and trusting the maker.

I invite you to go have a look at the very modest www.GoldBuckleClubwhisky.com , and get a feel for the brand that you will grow to love as the real McCoy it always promises to be! Just 300 bottles per barrel, and always bottled just one barrel at a time. Mention American Cowboy magazine or their Web site, and make an appointment for a VIP tour and tasting whenever you are in Ellensburg! ( info@TheEllensburgDistillery.com )

All the best from Gold Buckle Club frontier-style whisky, and please, hang on to your hat!

Im new and joined this group because im a whiskey fan. I have to admit im not all that keen on "western" rye or "gold buckle" good stuff, but I'd like to learn. Say, if im a fan off single barrel jack (assuming ya get a good barrel) what western would you suggest i try? Thanks, any tips or direction would be appreciated. Any excuse to sip more whiskey right? hah!

not everybody can afford it. i had the pleasure of tasting Gold Buckle Club whisky with Rusty himself at the Ellensburg Cowboy Gathering. i thought it was real good, and being "cask proof" (% alc by volume) it doesn't waste any time gettin' you there.
Now friends, we're talking about a handmade item here, the same as any other craftsman, whether it's a silversmith, or a saddler, or a hat maker. sometimes (not every time mind you)
good isn't cheap, and cheap isn't good....
All i'm really saying here is, people spend money every day on things that my Grandpa would've called frivolous..it doesn't make them dumb or bad....it only means that not everybody can afford it...
How much did YOUR hat cost? some folks would say "that's WAY too much".....get it?

G