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Each year, adopting a tradition from the Alsace region of France, the folks at Oregon's Clear Creek Distillery, nestled in the foothills of Mt. Hood, put glass bottles over 5,000 tiny pears in their orchard. Months later, when the pears have grown to full size, but are still fairly green, Clear Creek employees carefully harvest them for the production of their limited edition "pear in a bottle" vintage eau de vie. The bottles are filled with the same eau de vie available for purchase sans pear (for about $24). Voila: a truly unique bottle of booze, perfect as a gift or as a special-occasion conversation piece.
As long as the bottle remains sealed, the pear inside can last indefinitely; Clear Creek founder Stephen McCarthy owns a bottle dating back to 1988, unopened, that looks as good as new. Once open, however, the pear will begin to turn, so plan on drinking the eau de vie in a matter of months. The pear itself does not affect the taste of the eau de vie.
If you're more into drinking than fancy presentation, Clear Creek sells their brandy pear-free as well. The pear brandy is a perfect after-dinner digestif, served in a brandy snifter or tulip glass (chill it in warmer climates or summer). McCarthy uses traditional European technique to make his eau de vie (he also makes a single malt whiskey), mashing down 30 pounds of pears for each 750-ml bottle, and fermenting them in German-made pot stills. At 80 proof, it's fiery and intense from the first sip. The pear notes are so distinct on the nose and on the finish, you'll swear there's a pear in the bottle, even when there isn't.
-- Sam Jemielity
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both bottles