US-based crafted spirits producer Eastside Distilling (Eastside) has launched new West End Blend under its Burnside brand.

West End is claimed to have been aged for nearly five years in a traditional American white oak before being transferred to an Oregon Oak barrel.

The whiskey will be available in a bottle specially designed by Oregon-based brand development company Sandstrom Partners (Sandstrom).

Eastside master distiller Mel Heim said: “Oregon Oak is unlike other American white oaks that are used to make the barrels that begin the bourbon ageing process. Oregon Oak, or ‘Garryana’ as the species is called, is almost sponge-like from the fast-growing it does in the wet Oregon winters.

"West End is claimed to have been aged for nearly five years in a traditional American white oak before being transferred to an Oregon Oak barrel."

“Not only does it soak up the whiskey and deeply flavour it, it has an unusually high content of vanillin when charred. Vanillin is a natural compound that mocks vanilla bean flavouring and a little hint of it is a great compliment to whisky, bourbon, or rye.”

The first bourbon finished in Oregon Oak was released in 2012, and the crafted spirits producer plans to launch two bourbon products and a rye whiskey later this year.

Eastside Distilling chairman and CEO Grover Wickersham said: “We sell amazing, small-batch craft bourbon and whiskeys that have a different character to them than the mainstream brands.

“Sandstrom Partners’ bottle design is true to our philosophy of being different, and it captures our unique quality and Oregon roots.”

Image: Burnside's flagship product takes its color inspiration from one of two towers that sits at either end of the Burnside Bridge. Photo: courtesy of Business Wire.