McCarthy’s Oregon Single Malt Whiskey, considered the first American single malt, was founded by Steve McCarthy over 25 years ago after a trip to Ireland. Finished In oloroso casks, this expression is bottled at 112 proof and retails for around $119.99.
The peat certainly doesn’t dominate in the same way as the unfinished expressions with bright notes of banana chips, apple cider, and candied ginger that thin out a bit across the midpalate before a lingering finish of lemon oil, milk chocolate, and heavily peppered bacon.
On the palate, more smoke but with some fruit notes of apple, cherry, and orange, along with bitter chocolate and charcoal embers, all wrapped in beautiful campfire smoke.
A complex American single malt that leads with peat and smoke, but grounds itself with flavors that are most likely attributed to its Oloroso sherry cask finishing.
