The Woody Whiskey Tasting

$45 Punch card gets you 6 tastes at the Woody

The 3rd annual Woody Whiskey Tasting lets you sample some of our favorite whiskies.  This year we painstakingly researched for the best that Oregon and Washington could produce.  Below are our choices for the year.  The tasting takes place in the Deschutes Historical Museum Library.

Clear Creek Distillery (Hood River) – www.clearcreekdistillery.com
McCarthy’s
McCarthy’s Oregon Single Malt Whiskey is of the Islay tradition of Scotch whisky.  Of well-known single malts from Scotland, it resembles the Lagavulin whisky.  It is very peat-y.  Made from peat-malted barley brought in from Scotland, our whiskey would be a single malt Scotch if Oregon were Scotland.

Dry Fly Distilling (Spokane) – www.dryflydistilling.com
Wheat
Distilled in a Christian Carl pot still to 120 proof (60% alcohol by volume), this whiskey then spent 18 months in new American oak casks.  The nose has caramel tones, with hints of butterscotch, almonds and hay.  A simple taste contains hints of freshly baked orange scones, cinnamon toast, white pepper and peppermint notes.

Big Bottom Whiskey (Hillsbro) – www.bigbottomwhiskey.com
3 Year Old Bourbon
Aged in new white oak casks and proofed at 91°, our American Straight Bourbon Whiskey consists of 36% rye. The complexity of the whiskey contains spicy undertones of cloves and allspice entwined with honeysuckle. The pleasing balances of spice create a long smooth finish.

Edgefield Distillery (Troutdale) – www.mcmenamins.com
McMenamins Hogshead Whiskey
Hogshead is an original. Continuing the independent and innovative styles of Northwest brewers and vintners, this whiskey is distilled with only a passing nod to the great Scotch, Irish and Bourbon distillers, before striking off on its own. Boasting a palate-pleasing combination of malty spirit — reminiscent of the malted barley grain that began the process — and the smoky, vanilla sweet-wood that surrounds the spirit until bottling, Hogshead is a rich, amber-hued whiskey.

Oregon Spirits Distillery (Bend) – www.oregonspiritdistillers.com
Distiller’s Choice Bourbon
Distiller’s Choice Bourbon is a beautiful expression of what defines bourbon.  A complex bouquet on the nose, then a soft, smooth opening tempting the pallet, next the flavors develop a complexity and the overall finish is bright and bold.  Bottled at 80 proof this whiskey is certainly smooth enough to be consumed neat or on the rocks and will also bring a bravado that will contribute to any whiskey cocktail.