Clear Creek - Eau de Vie de Pomme - 375 ml. Product of Oregon.

"A very worthy competitor to the best Calvados. We crush and ferment the whole apple, using Golden Delicious apples from our orchards on the northeast slope of Mt. Hood, and distill. Following the customs of the Calvados makers of Normandy, the high proof apple spirit is aged in old Cognac barrels, made of Limousin oak, for at least eight years.  The result is a beautiful amber brandy, with a remarkable amount of apple in the nose, but with the sophistication and complexity gained from all those years in oak.  This has a lot of appeal to the traditional brandy drinker as well, as its color and barrel aged qualities are more familiar."  - Clear Creek  

"An American distilling masterpiece by distiller Steve McCarthy. (96-100)"  Wine Enthusiast Magazine, September 2001  

"Aged in Limousin oak casks from France; pale straw yellow/apple juice hue; the nose is so delicate as to be feminine in its bearing - the notes of grass, apple, and spice are neither sweet nor tart, just ethereal in the first three passes-by the last nosing, the spice/apple-peel components shift into high gear, creating a heavenly aroma of succulent fruit that took my breath away; in the mouth, the grace noted in the bouquet grows into regal elegance as the apple element becomes more clearly defined at midpalate -- just prior to the aftertaste, the taste of tart green apple is mesmerizing; the finish is long, but very soft and appley; this is Stephen McCarthy's best all-around distilling effort and must be considered an American classic."  RATING *****   Highly Recommended    From "Kindred Spirits" by F. Paul Pacult