Clear Creek Distillery

Clear Creek Distillery is one of America's original craft distilleries, founded in 1985 in Portland, Oregon by Stephen McCarthy — a third-generation fruit grower who pioneered traditional European-style fruit brandy production in the Pacific Northwest decades before the American craft spirits movement existed.

McCarthy modeled Clear Creek on the small Alsatian distilleries he encountered in Europe, where single-ingredient eau de vie — clear, unaged fruit brandy — is a serious artisan tradition. The results were transformative: the pear eau de vie became a benchmark American expression of the category, and McCarthy's Oregon Single Malt Whiskey brought Islay-style peated single malt to American production for the first time. The distillery is now part of Hood River Distillers.

The Clear Creek Lineup

Pear Brandy — The flagship. Whole Williams pears from Hood River, Oregon fermented and distilled into an unaged eau de vie. Fresh, vivid pear aromatics with the purity that only single-ingredient distillation produces. Apple Brandy — Oregon apple eau de vie — clean, bright, and orchard-fresh. Douglas Fir Eau de Vie — Distilled with fresh Douglas fir buds harvested in spring, producing one of the most unusual and distinctively Pacific Northwest spirits in the world. Kirschwasser — Traditional cherry eau de vie in the Alsatian style. Cassis — Black currant liqueur. McCarthy's Oregon Single Malt Whiskey — Heavily peated American single malt from 100% Scottish peated malted barley, aged three years in used oak. The closest American equivalent to an Islay Scotch whisky.

Browse all brandy and cognac at Wooden Cork, or explore all American whiskey.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Clear Creek Distillery known for?

European-style fruit brandies — particularly the pear eau de vie and Douglas Fir eau de vie — and McCarthy's Oregon Single Malt, the original American peated single malt whiskey. Founded in 1985, Clear Creek was producing serious craft spirits two decades before the American craft distilling movement took hold.

What is McCarthy's Oregon Single Malt Whiskey?

A heavily peated American single malt made from 100% Scottish peated malted barley, distilled in Portland, Oregon and aged three years in used oak. The peat character closely resembles Islay Scotch — making it the most distinctively Scotch-influenced American whiskey produced. Named after founder Stephen McCarthy.

What is the Douglas Fir Eau de Vie?

One of the most unusual spirits in America — distilled with fresh Douglas fir bud tips harvested each spring in the Pacific Northwest. The buds contribute a distinctive resinous, herbal, and piney character unlike any other spirit category. A genuine expression of Pacific Northwest terroir.