2021 Lost Lantern Single Cask #6: McCarthy's 6 Year Old Oregon Peated American Single Malt Whiskey

McCarthy's is often cited as the first Single Malt made in America. They've been at it for decades, quietly making some of the finest malt produced anywhere. Their peated whisky is incredibly delicious and for years has been bottled at just 3 years old. This 6 year cask marks one of the oldest releases ever and is a perfect example of why American Single Malt is a category to be reckoned with. The malt for this whisky actually was grown in Scotland and peated with Islay peat before being fermented by Double Mountain Brewery in Hood River, Oregon with their ale yeast strain and then distilled into McCarthy's at Clear Creek Distilling (now Hood River Distillers). Aged in a 223 liter, 3rd fill Oregon oak cask with a medium toast and medium char. It was originally laid down at the old Clear Creek facility and moved to finish aging at the Hood River Distillery. Intensely smoky, but also with big bright fruit, its cask is a beacon for fans of American Single Malt.