If you’ve spent any time around the Kenai Peninsula over the past few seasons, you’ve probably noticed one of our boats before you’ve even noticed us.
Wrapped from bow to stern in Pendleton Whisky branding, our two power boats—and most recently, our drift boat—have become three of the most recognizable guide boats on the Kenai and Kasilof rivers. Guests frequently stop us at the boat launch, ask for photos, or simply comment on how sharp the boats look as they head downriver.
But the partnership with Pendleton Whisky is about much more than great-looking boats.
At Explore Kenai, we’ve always believed that the best partnerships are built on authentic relationships, and our partnership with Pendleton Whisky is a perfect example.
A Brand Built Around the Outdoors
Pendleton Whisky has long supported the western lifestyle, celebrating the people who spend their time outdoors chasing adventure, making memories, and sharing stories around the campfire after a day well spent.
Those values fit naturally with what we strive to create at Explore Kenai.
Whether it’s introducing someone to their first sockeye salmon, helping a family experience Alaska together, or watching a guest land the rainbow trout of a lifetime, our goal has always been to create experiences people remember long after they leave the Kenai Peninsula.
That’s what made this partnership such a natural fit.
More Than a Sponsor
One of the questions we hear most often is, “How did Explore Kenai end up partnering with Pendleton Whisky?”
Like many great stories, it started with a simple conversation on the river.
During a guided fishing trip, Explore Kenai co-owner Dustin was chatting with a group of clients when the topic turned to whisky. Without thinking twice, he mentioned that Pendleton Whisky had always been his favorite.
As it turned out, one of the guests on the boat happened to be a Pendleton distributor based in Anchorage.
Before the trip was over, she offered to introduce us to Pendleton Whisky’s Alaska representative. Just two weeks later, we were fishing for sockeye together on the lower Kenai River while discussing what a partnership might look like.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Today, Pendleton Whisky proudly serves as the title sponsor of Explore Kenai, and we’re honored to represent a brand that shares our passion for the outdoors.
What began as a casual conversation on the Kenai River has grown into a partnership we’re incredibly proud of. It’s a reminder that you never know where a day on the water might lead—or who you might meet along the way.
Thank You
We’re thankful for every guest who chooses to fish with Explore Kenai, and we’re equally thankful for partners who believe in our vision.
Their support allows us to continue investing in our equipment, our guests, and the experiences that make fishing on the Kenai Peninsula so memorable.
The next time you see one of our Pendleton boats running down the Kenai or Kasilof River, give us a wave. We might just have another group of anglers creating memories they’ll be talking about for years to come.
When you book a trip with Explore Kenai, you’re not just stepping aboard one of Alaska’s most recognizable guide boats—you’re becoming part of a story that started with a simple conversation, a shared appreciation for the outdoors, and a little bit of Pendleton Whisky.
