Oregon’s first Distillery promotes head distiller as it celebrates nearly a century of producing award-winning spirits from the bounty of the Pacific Northwest
HOOD RIVER, OR (April 25, 2024) Hood River Distillers, celebrating its 90th anniversary as the Pacific Northwest’s largest and oldest distillery, is proud to announce the promotion of Caitlin Bartlemay to Master Distiller.
Bartlemay joined Clear Creek Distillery in 2010 as a logistics coordinator and worked her way through the ranks to distiller. In 2014, Clear Creek was acquired by Hood River Distillers, joining the two oldest operating distilleries in Oregon, and returning Hood River Distillers to its original roots of creating fruit brandies. Bartlemay was named Head Distiller in 2021 and now oversees production of some twenty different distillates including McCarthy’s Oregon Single Malt, the 1st American Single Malt; the award-winning Timberline Vodka; and the renowned Clear Creek brandies and eaux de vie.
Caitlin’s vigilant commitment to excellence in every facet of her job is one of the qualities that has made her such an exceptional member of our team. Her passion for quality and craftsmanship is evident in each product that she touches. It’s only fitting that as we celebrate our 90th anniversary, we recognize Caitlin for her leadership in helping Hood River Distillers and its brands continue their heritage of quality in the Pacific Northwest.
David Ballew, President and CEO, Hood River Distillers
Bartlemay grew up as a hard-working wheat rancher in Eastern Oregon. Her father started a winery when she was in middle school, and she became fascinated by the science of fermentation. She studied Food Science and Technology at Oregon State University earning her bachelor’s degree in 2010. During her last semester of college, Bartlemay sent letters to every distillery across the Pacific Northwest (at that time there were only 12) inquiring about job opportunities. Steve McCarthy, owner of Clear Creek Distillery, never told her to stop calling, so she didn’t. She started work there the week after graduation.
It has been a thrill to be a part of the Clear Creek/Hood River Distillers team and to have had the opportunity to share so many wonderful brands with our customers. The history of distillation at both Clear Creek Distillery and Hood River Distillers is one that combines pioneering personalities, exceptional products, and phenomenal teamwork. Whether we are continuing the legacy of the first American Single Malt, bottling spirits distilled from the bounty of the Pacific Northwest or creating new custom flavors to celebrate innovation in the whiskey category,I’m proud to lead this next generation of distillers.
Caitlin Bartlemay
About Hood River Distillers:
Founded in 1934 and headquartered in Hood River, Ore., Hood River Distillers is the Northwest’s largest and oldest importer, distiller, producer, and marketer of distilled spirits. Timberline® Vodka, Forthwest® Whisky, Big Gin®, Batanga® Tequila, Easy Rider® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Trail’s End® Finished Small Batch Bourbon, DeGroff™ Bitter Aperitivo and New World Amaro, Clear Creek® Fruit Brandies and Liqueurs, McCarthy’s® Oregon Single Malt, Old Delicious® Apple Brandy, Sinfire® Whisky, Lucid®Absinthe Supérieure, ULLR® Nordic Libation, Yazi® Ginger Vodka, Lewis and Clark® Spirits, HRD® Vodka and the complete line of Monarch® distilled spirits are distributed across the country. For the complete product portfolio and more information, visit www.hrdspirits.com.
Listen to Bourbon Lens on your favorite podcast app or stream on Spotify. If you’d like to support Bourbon Lens, subscribe to our Patreon, sign up for our “Weekly Pour” Newsletter, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
If you like cocktails, subscribe to our second podcast, Cocktails with Friends. Cocktails with Friends is hosted by our good friend and partner, Bob Cutler.
Recent Bourbon Lens Coverage
- Glenfiddich & Aston Martin Formula 1 Team Launch New Partnership with Ultra-Rare Scotch Whisky
- 2XO Gem of Kentucky is the Double-Barreled Bourbon Worth Hunting
- Hidden Barn’s Third Annual Maderia-Finished Bourbon is a “Perfect Harmony”
- Loch Lomond Crowned Scotch Whisky Producer of the Year at the 2024 IWSC
- Redwood Empire Whiskey Announces New Haystack Needle Single Barrel Program
- Pendleton 1910 Bourbon: New Whiskey, A Decade in the Making
