About the Producer
Clear Creek Distillery was one of the first craft distillers, founded in 1985 in by Stephen McCarthy with the goal of producing eau-de-vies. To this day their most popular product is pear eau-de-vie made from Oregon pears. Clear Creek was bought out by Hood River Distillers in 2014 and moved from their original home in Portland to the Hood River valley. In addition to a wide range of aged and unaged brandies they also make what’s likely the first American single malt, made with peated barley and named after the founder.
Details
- 40% abv
- Unaged
- Pot distilled.
- Fermented and distilled from cherries from the Pacific NW.
Nose
Cherries of course with the flavors leaning towards the pit and the flesh but not so much the juice. Good mix of sweet and tart side of the cherries. Traces of sandalwood. Lightly sweet and light intensity. Very solid but a bit light.
Palate
Cherry pit with again a good mix of sweet and tart cherries. Medium body and intensity with a buttery texture. Bit of earthy pit and dry cinnamon. More complexity than most eau-de-vie. Good but not really a standout.
Finish
Short with dry cherry pit and earthiness.
Rating: 5
Overall
A solid cherry brandy but I would gravitate towards other commonly available cherry brandies like Schladerer before this. Everything there is good but the cherry is just a bit too subdued for this to be a standout.
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things I’d rather have.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite
10 | Perfect | Perfect
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