HOOD RIVER DISTILLERS AND CLEAR CREEK DISTILLERY CELEBRATE THE BOUNTY OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, UNVEILING OLD DELICIOUS DOUBLE BOURBON BARRELED APPLE BRANDY
The Revival of an Old Hood River Distillers Small Batch Recipe Brings Bourbon into the World of Brandy
Hood River Distillers , the largest and oldest importer, distiller and marketer of distilled spirits in the Northwest, today unveiled the newest addition to its Oregon-made spirits portfolio - Old Delicious Double Bourbon Barreled Apple Brandy.
Old Delicious Double Bourbon Barreled Apple Brandy begins its journey as Pacific Northwest apples which are crushed, fermented and distilled according to old world methods at Clear Creek Distillery - the pure fruit mash is distilled in Clear Creek’s German-made pot stills. The Apple Brandy is then poured into a freshly drained Kentucky Straight Bourbon barrel and rests for a full year before being poured into another freshly drained Kentucky straight bourbon barrel for a final year.
The Pacific Northwest is known for taking advantage of its local and seasonal resources, and Old Delicious Double Bourbon Barreled Apple Brandy is no different. The distillers at Clear Creek are passionate about maintaining a vibrant local economy as every ingredient used to create this Oregon made spirit comes from within 200 miles of Hood River.
Using the apples that were going to waste as excess production from the valley's abundant harvests, Hood River Distillers launched "Old Delicious" as one of its first brands after the company began. “Old Delicious is a celebration of the long history of the two oldest operating distilleries in the State of Oregon, the two have come together and are bringing the bourbon market into the world of brandy,” says Joe O’Sullivan, Head Distiller at Clear Creek Distillery. “This drink unifies the pre-prohibition American drink, which was cider and rum, with the American drink of today, bourbon.”
The nose includes notes of candied apple, charred wood, vanilla, brown butter, pecans, leather, cigar wrapper, melon and honey comb. The full flavor profile on the palate moves to flavors of crab apple, toasted corn, cutgrass, brine, black pepper, cherries and figs, bitter lime peel, celery seed and cashews.
Initially launching in Oregon, Old Delicious Double Bourbon Barreled Apple Brandy (SRP $54.95 for a 750ml), will expand to additional markets later this spring.
Photography by Carly Dia