McCarthy’s 6 Year Oloroso Finish

McCarthy’s was founded by Steve McCarthy and first released as a whiskey in 1996, serving in the vanguard of American single malt whiskies. Hailing from the Mount Hood region of Oregon, McCarthy’s barley is sourced entirely from Scotland and is peat smoked. The early releases earned high praise from whiskey reviewers like Jim Murray but they have not rested on their laurels. The McCarthy’s 6 Year Oloroso Finish is distilled from heavily peated Scottish barley and aged in Oregon oak casks before being finished for an unknown amount of time in Spanish ex-Olorosh sherry casks. Initially released as a limited edition, it is now part of the standard portfolio and was a 2023 Editors’ Choice in Whisky Advocate Magazine. 

Distillery: Clear Creek
Country: United States
Age: 6 years
Strength: 56%
Price: $119.95
Maturation: ex-Oloroso sherry casks
Barrel: No. 1106, bottled 4/27/2023
Location: Portland, Oregon
Nose: Brine, peat, maple, camphor, dark fruit
Palate: Smoke, brine, wine
Finish: Fruit, peat

Comments: Water could definitely be played with. Fun to come full circle, after the regular 3 year single malt was featured in our first ever World Whisky Day.

Adam – There’s the expected smoke in the McCarthy’s 6 Year Oloroso, of course, but if you’re patient and let it sit in your glass a while, it clears enough for some wine fruits to come out and sweeten the entire experience considerably. Not quite candy, but there is a richness. Early morning run to the bakery, and make sure mine is glazed. The brine eventually comes to the fore also, depending on the angle you hold the nose. Fascinating, evolving, layered. Big smoke and brine and on palate, the heightened proofage turning up the flavor volume, pleasantly, if you’re prepared. The finish feels much quieter yet is still present, with a hint of the fruit from the nose coming back to sit with some peat. Enjoy what this has to say out of the bottle but don’t be afraid to add a little water, them maybe a little more. Doing so highlights the fruit in the nose, allowing you to enjoy it more. The palate is still bold but less surprising, and allows you to notice the interplay flavors since it doesn’t leave you reeling. Wow, even with water this whiskey remains layered, rewarding your curiosity. There exists a nice oil in the mouthfeel, though the components still make holding in your mouth for too long a little dangerous. But when dangerous can be so attractive, it’s hard to resist. 

Henry – A nose like a salted maple bacon doughnut. Briny smokiness leads to subtle maple with herbaceous and winey undertones, resulting in an almost camphor note. Wine, big smoke, maritime sherry brine, and bright tannins make for an eye-opening pop on the palate. An oily, drying finish fades to a gentle peaty sweetness. 

Ben – Furniture polish that’s almondish. Wait, breakfast whiskey? Fruity but the peat might be hiding it. Worthwhile to put this together. On second nose, I get more vegetal peat. Smells like “toy slime” from my youth but brings back those good memories.

Bill – The grain qualities are there, with big nuts. Smokey. Ashy nose. Dry- smelling, but oily on the palate. A pinch of Copenhagen tobacco in my mouth. Nice, and I like it but to me the McCarthy’s 6 Year Oloroso is a little one-dimensional. Lacks identity. I like it, but it doesn’t feel authentic.