At the Virginia Distillery Company in Lovingston, VA, whisky production is guided by a specialized team rather than a single head distiller. Dustin Caster serves as the Distillery Director, overseeing the grain-to-barrel production, while Amanda Beckwith acts as the Lead Blender. I had the honor of experiencing one of the best distillery tour tastings that anyone has ever experienced - especially if you love American Single Malt as much as I do. And that's coming from some one who loves Scotch and has spent time in Scotland. But this tour and tasting was above and beyond. Strange mixtures of resting in a parade of exotic barrels. Truly an art form the way they do it.
Virginia Distillery Co.’s First Cut Cigar Blend is an American Single Malt crafted to pair beautifully with a fine cigar. It is made from 100% malted barley and aged in an imaginative blend of casks for a minimum of seven years. It was aged in Spanish Oak, Sherry, Port, STR, Chateau Palmer Cabernet, Armagnac, Cognac, and Fino casks. A whisper of smoke from Islay casks adds a nuanced touch. The nose if filled to the brim with red cherries, red raspberries, red currants and a hint of cranberry. On the palate those notes eventually become a date and nut loaf in the best possible way - touches of walnut and pecan, figs and dates and lemon zest. Terrific Christmas spices also are highlighted -caramel and toffee blend beautifully, with an added touch of mocha. An absolutely outstanding whiskey. I fell in love with it immediately. One of my candidates for whiskey of the year!
Virginia Distillery Goose Island Bourbon County Stout Cask Finish Single Malt is another absolute winner! The distillery has collaborated with some of the preeminent breweries from across the country.to create this Brewer's Coalition series. They source unique used beer barrels to enhance their American Single Malt whisky. This Second Edition features a single malt rested in twenty Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout barrels. This 100% Malted Barley was aged in ex-bourbon barrels for more than five years before being finished this special barrels. Goose Island's stout is a big, dark, rich beer, with intense chocolate and coffee flavors. That comes across on this whiskey quickly. The nose explodes with dark chocolate, espresso, cream, and a hint of banana bread. There's toffee and caramel as well as Christmas spices, and a finish of molasses and light chocolate candy nougat. One of my favorite beers, and one of my favorite concepts melded, finally, into one elixir. This Goose Island Single Malt is another candidate for whiskey of the year. Absolutely astounding. Amazing.
Virginia Distillery Foothills Brewing Sexual Chocolate Stout Cask Finish Brewer's Coalition is another entrant in the stout finished whiskey category. This limited edition release absolutely reflects the sensual and delicious chocolatey influence of the Foothills Brewing Sexual Chocolate Stout (another legendary chocolate stout - one of the best in North America). The distillery finished just twelve barrels of whiskey in these ex-stout barrels. This 100% Malted Barley whiskey was aged in premium ex-bourbon barrels for more than five years, before being moved into the Foothills Sexual Chocolate chocolate stout barrels. This whiskey also blew me away. Are you noticing a pattern? Dark and milk chocolate wafted from the glass, with notes of espresso, caramel, toffee, and a hint of dried apricot. This whiskey was laden with stewed dark fruits, but ended with malted chocolate milk balls and a healthy dose of molasses. A big, rich whiskey, every bit as good as the previous two here. Stunning!
This is the same hammer mill that is used at Glenfarclas in Scotland.
Virginia Distillery American Single Malt Cider Cask Finish is made from 100% Malted Barley. Like some of the others, this whiskey spent five years in ex-bourbon casks before being finished in French calvados casks, premium Virginia cider barrels, and Laird's Apple Brandy barrels. This was a combination of fine brandy and single malt. Lot's of stone fruit up front, such as baked apple and pear, a hint of dried peach, and a hint of orange zest. There were also touches of fresh cherry baked deep inside oats, this exotic elixir. Notes of honey and caramel, biscuit, vanilla, pecan and walnuts, and a healthy pop of Christmas spice all came and went before the apple and caramel lingered. A classic Highlands or Speyside-styled single malt, with all the cognac notes, but also with the tremendous notes of cereal and fruit. Exquisite.
Virginia Distillery has turned American Single Malt into an art form.