Clear Creek Eau de Vie of Douglas Fir

Product of: United States

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Steve McCarthy was inspired to make this eau-de-vie by a spirit found in Alsace called 'Eau de Vie de Bourgeons de Sapin', literally 'brandy of fir tree buds'. This is a traditional product of the region and made by macerating Scotts Pine buds and then distilling the maceration.

It took Steve ten years to perfect his Oregon version made from local Douglas Fir. Hand-picked springtime buds are macerated in eau-de-vie and then distilled before being re-infused with more fresh Douglas Fir buds. The result is filtered and bottled. This product's green colour comes only from the buds, no artificial colours or flavours are added.

Review and Tasting

Sampled on 06/12/2010

Appearance:

Clear, lime green.

Aroma:

Clean and fresh, reminiscent of walking into a room with a fragrant Christmas tree and with someone baking a sponge cake next door.

Taste:

Incredibly fresh in a minty kind-a-way. It is recognisably pine-y with a hint of bitterness but not at all astringently so. Strangely it is like oak aged and concentrated crème de menthe.

Aftertaste:

Perhaps not to everybody's taste but great for cocktails.