McCarthy's 6 Year Old PX Sherry Cask Finished is a limited Oregon single malt from Hood River Distillers, aged six years in Oregon oak and finished for four months in two-year Pedro Ximénez sherry casks from the Tonelería del Sur cooperage in southern Spain. It is bottled at cask strength, 56.13% ABV, without chill filtration.
McCarthy's whiskey was created by Steve McCarthy at Clear Creek Distillery in Portland, founded in 1985, and is one of the pioneers of American single malt. Made with peated barley, it brings gentle smoke together with the deep, jammy fruit of the PX finish. Drinkhacker scored it 95.
The nose brings warm saddle leather and sweet tobacco, reshaping into dark hazelnut butter and bergamot tea, centred on the lingering smoke of cold campfire embers. The palate is surprisingly rich, with a bright, piquant start: the jammy fruit of the sherry opens into a spice-filled middle of chicory and bitter chocolate, with raisin, black cherry, currant and blueberry cobbler. The finish brings back the peat, with tobacco leaf, sawdust and a final echo of wood smoke and dark fruit skin.
The bottle with its orange label is a fine gift for adventurous whiskey lovers.
Taste it neat, then with a few drops of water.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: Saddle leather, sweet tobacco, hazelnut butter, bergamot tea and campfire smoke.
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Palate: Jammy sherry fruit, chicory, bitter chocolate and black cherry.
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Finish: Peat, tobacco leaf, sawdust and dark fruit skin.
Specifications
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Producer: Hood River Distillers (McCarthy's, Clear Creek)
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Style: Oregon Single Malt Whiskey, peated, cask strength
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Age: 6 years
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Proof / ABV: 112.3 proof (56.13% ABV)
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Cask / Finish: Oregon oak, finished 4 months in PX sherry casks
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Region: Oregon, United States
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Serve it neat with water on the side. It pairs with smoked meats, dark chocolate or blue cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
How was it finished?
For four months in two-year Pedro Ximénez sherry casks.
Is it peated?
Yes, McCarthy's is made with peated barley.
What proof is it?
It is bottled at cask strength, 56.13% ABV.
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