Crater Lake
Crater Lake is a line of spirits produced by Bendistillery, an Oregon-based craft distillery known for its handcrafted vodkas and gins. The Crater Lake name draws inspiration from the deep, clear waters of Oregon's Cascade region, and the brand emphasizes purity and clean-tasting spirits designed for both sipping and mixing.
The Crater Lake range centers primarily on vodka and gin, with expressions crafted in the Pacific Northwest. These spirits are widely used in cocktails and are valued for their smooth, approachable character and craft-distilled provenance.
Crater Lake is a line of spirits produced by Bendistillery, an Oregon-based craft distillery known for its handcrafted vodkas and gins.
Read more about Crater Lake
Crater Lake is a line of spirits produced by Bendistillery, an Oregon-based craft distillery known for its handcrafted vodkas and gins. The Crater Lake name draws inspiration from the deep, clear waters of Oregon's Cascade region, and the brand emphasizes purity and clean-tasting spirits designed for both sipping and mixing.
The Crater Lake range centers primarily on vodka and gin, with expressions crafted in the Pacific Northwest. These spirits are widely used in cocktails and are valued for their smooth, approachable character and craft-distilled provenance.
Background and House Style
Crater Lake spirits are made by Bendistillery, a craft distillery operating out of Bend, Oregon. The distillery built its reputation on small-batch production and a focus on quality water and careful distillation, which are the foundations of the Crater Lake brand's clean, neutral profile.
The house style leans toward smoothness and clarity. The vodka is distilled and filtered to achieve a crisp, mellow character suited to both neat pours and cocktails, while the gin expressions incorporate botanicals for a balanced, aromatic profile. The brand's identity is tied to the natural imagery of Oregon's high desert and mountain landscapes.
The Range and What to Expect
The core Crater Lake offering is its vodka, a clean, versatile spirit that works well in classic vodka cocktails such as the Moscow Mule, vodka soda, or a straightforward martini. The brand also produces gin, which showcases botanical character for those who prefer a more aromatic base spirit.
When shopping the Crater Lake collection, expect craft-distilled spirits at an accessible price point relative to their small-batch nature. These are practical, mixable spirits that balance quality with everyday usability, making them a solid choice for home bars and cocktail enthusiasts alike.
Buying and Serving Tips
For the best experience, store your Crater Lake bottles upright in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and heat. Vodka and gin are shelf-stable and do not require refrigeration, though many drinkers prefer to chill vodka before serving it neat.
Crater Lake vodka is an excellent all-purpose mixer, holding up in fruit-forward cocktails and lighter highballs alike. The gin pairs classically with tonic and citrus, or serves as a clean base for a gin martini. Both make dependable additions to a well-stocked bar.