McCarthy's Oregon Single Malt Whiskey
by admin on Dec.30, 2007, under single malt, spirit, whisky
Background: Clear Creek Distillery in Oregon imports peat-dried malt from Scotland to make this whisky. The malt is brewed by Widmer Brothers Brewing and after distillation is aged for three years in ex-sherry casks. Additional maturation is done in local Oregon oak barrels. According to the maker, this is an attempt to produce a whisky in the style of an Islay Scotch.
Nose: Smoke, generic fruit, peat, and alcohol.
Taste: Sweet, with some soft fruit, smoke, and mild peat. Prominent new oak influence, slight rubber character.
(Now we dilute)
Nose: A bit of vanilla, a bit of caramel.
Taste: More peat, less oak.
Overall: Young, and had a bit too much time in new oak to really resemble a normal Islay. Still, it's drinkable and peaty. Quite promising; I've had better whiskies at this age, but I'd definitely like to see what the distiller could do with more time in wood.
