Whiskey Review: Clear Creek McCarthy’s Oregon Single Malt

The smoke comes in sharp and intense at first, with more mesquiteBBQ flavors overlaid with bitter dark chocolate ending in an abrupt, astringent finish. Adding a little water highlighted some buttery caramel notes that weren’t too apparent before. The peat level is on the milder side, reminiscent of Talisker. The body is light, and would make me guess it was a blended Scotch in a blind tasting. I can picture a group of friends, sitting around a campfire in the Oregon wilderness, passing a bottle of Clear Creek McCarthy’s Single Malt and enjoying is mild and quiet demeanor. Approachable and not complicated, it matches the informal and casual spirit of Oregon.