Youthful malt with flickers of porter, pepper, and honeysuckle — promising, but not fully formed.
About Pilot House Distillery
Founded in 2013 by Larry Cary, Pilot House Distilling is a craft distillery rooted in historic downtown Astoria, Oregon. What began as curiosity about the mechanics of distillation quickly turned into a full commitment to building a spirits portfolio with character and range.
Early production focused on gin and vodka while their whiskies aged patiently in-house — a long view approach that still defines the operation.
In 2017, Pilot House helped lead a successful effort to change Oregon law to allow canned cocktail sales in the state. That advocacy paved the way for the launch of the Astoria Mary — Oregon’s first canned cocktail — marking a turning point not just for the distillery, but for the state’s ready-to-drink market.
Today, Pilot House produces a broad lineup of spirits including whiskey, gin, freshly infused vodkas, agave spirits, absinthe, and liqueurs, alongside a growing portfolio of canned cocktails.
With tasting rooms in Astoria and Cannon Beach and distribution across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Colorado, and Alaska, Pilot House continues to expand its footprint along the West Coast — building steadily, without losing its coastal roots.
Stats
- Age: 2 year
- Proof: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
- Origin: Pilot House Distillery — Astoria, Oregon
- Finish: Straight in new American oak
- Release: Wide release
- MSRP: $60
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Opens grain-forward, but not in a raw way. Apricot and dark honey pull it toward sweetness, layered with chocolate malt and cracked pepper. It reads almost like the aroma of a freshly poured porter — warm, bready, faintly bitter at the edges. There’s promise in that glass.
- Palate: Doesn’t quite deliver on the nose’s ambition. A slight smokiness drifts in alongside watered-down coffee and black pepper. It drinks hotter than its proof suggests — not aggressive, just thin and sharp in places. Mid-palate is where it shows its most character: funky espresso, lightly smoky chocolate, and a nutty undercurrent that again recalls dark beer. Honeysuckle lifts the finish, but the texture thins quickly
- Finish: Nothing here is offensive. In fact, there are flashes of distinctiveness that keep you engaged. But the mouthfeel lacks the depth and layering that more time in oak would likely provide. The sweetness suggested on the nose doesn’t fully translate into structure on the palate.
- Presentation: A simple, minimal label on a traditional squat bottle. It doesn’t attempt to overdress the whiskey — and in a market constantly trying to out-age and out-package the next “limited” release, that restraint feels intentional.
There’s no hiding the youth here.
At two years old and bottled at 80 proof, this is a spirit still figuring out its voice.
But it does have one — and at moments, it’s compelling.
Distinctiveness
Where this whiskey separates itself is in its malt profile. The porter-like combination of chocolate malt, espresso funk, light smoke, and honeyed florals isn’t something you find in every young American single malt. The beer-adjacent character feels intentional rather than accidental.
It’s grain-forward, yes — but stylistically so. Those who appreciate malt as malt (not just oak as a mask) may find that refreshing.
Transparency & Value
Pilot House is a craft distillery with little to hide. Even the label reflects that approach — simple, straightforward, no inflated storytelling. No “Bottled by” or “Distilled in”, simply “Pilot House Distilling” with their address.
At $60 for a 2-year-old, value becomes the harder conversation.
Craft distillation at small scale carries cost. That’s real. But in today’s market, $60 often buys older, more developed single malts or higher proof offerings that deliver more texture and complexity. The flashes of personality here are intriguing, yet the overall experience feels like it needs another year or two to justify the price tag with confidence.
This is less about quality and more about maturity.
Buy if:
- You’re exploring American single malt and want to taste youthful malt character unmasked.
- You enjoy porter, chocolate malt, and lightly smoky espresso notes in your glass.
- You support early-stage craft distilleries and appreciate watching evolution in real time.
Skip if:
- You prioritize depth, viscosity, and layered oak development.
- You expect strong value at the $60 mark.
- You prefer higher proof or more robust mouthfeel.
For those who prefer numbers, here’s the full score breakdown:
- Nose: 3 / 7
- Palate: 1.75 / 7
- Finish: 2.5 / 7
- Presentation: 2 / 7
- Distinctiveness: 3 / 7
- Transparency: 7 / 7
- Value: 2 / 7
Bourbon Bishop Rating: 3.04 / 7 – Only Earthly
Just okay. Best used as a mixer.
| Score | Descriptor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1 | Hell No | Drain pour. Seriously undrinkable |
| 1.1–2 | Purgatory | Bad, but could be worse. Only in extreme cases. |
| 2.1–3 | Only Earthly | Just okay. Best used as a mixer. |
| 3.1–4 | Bliss | Passable sipper. Works well in cocktails. |
| 4.1–5 | Angelic | Good to great. High value for the price. |
| 5.1–6 | Divine | Top-shelf. Must-buy for fans of the style. |
| 6.1–7 | Holy Heaven | Out-of-this-world. A true unicorn. |
Disclosure: This bottle was provided to me free of charge for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
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