With Braveness & Conviction now well-established and bolstered by a line of cask-specific single malts derived from that flagship mix, the following frontier within the lineup for Virginia Distillery Co. is cask power, single cask choices. We acquired a style of that final 12 months with Cuvee Single Cask and, extra lately, with an independently bottled providing from Single Cask Nation. Only recently, Bourbon Cask and Sherry Cask have gotten the one barrel remedy, as nicely. We obtained a trio of those single casks for evaluation, together with a brand new Cuvee providing. Ideas observe.
Virginia Distillery Co. Braveness & Conviction Bourbon Single Cask – Aged for no less than three years in ex-bourbon casks. The nostril is vivid and honeyed with notes of golden apple and crunchy pear. A little bit of ethanol creeps in to quiet a few of that fruit, however an undercurrent of contemporary oak and vanilla shortbread retains issues on observe. The palate is kind of spicy with a beneficiant, oily mouthfeel. A potent chili pepper warmth carries throughout the sip, including a toasted, nearly caramelized, ingredient to the candy malts at its core. Notes of well-cooked granola, crispy apple pie, darkish toffee, and torched lemon peel give method to a closing flourish of peppery warmth and fading, notes of vanilla bean and barely bitter black tea. Water helps to tame a few of the spicier components. Extra fascinating than the usual Bourbon Cask, to make certain, however that comes on the expense of some approachability. Reviewed: Cask No. 503. 117.6 proof. B+
Virginia Distillery Co. Braveness & Conviction PX Sherry Single Cask – Aged for no less than three years in casks that previously held Pedro Ximenez sherry (Oloroso and Fino Single Casks are reportedly forthcoming). The aroma is closely sherried however with out the jammy darkish fruit ingredient generally related to this sherry fashion. In actual fact, I’d suspect a drier fashion was used if I didn’t know higher given how mild and delicate the sweetness is at first. As issues open, nonetheless, the darkish berry and fig notes develop a bit juicier, complemented by a stunning, dried orange peel observe and a little bit of marzipan. The palate reveals extra of a basic PX-aged profile with bolder, syrupy notes of raspberry and blackberry. A little bit of dried stone fruit and orange zest arrive on the midpalate with a delicate, purple pepper heat that builds right into a lingering end of baking spice, honeyed malt, cinnamon candies, and darkish cherry. Reviewed: Cask No. 1212. 118.8 proof. A-
Virginia Distillery Co. Braveness & Conviction Cuvee Single Cask (2022) – Aged a minimal of three years in purple wine casks which were shaved, toasted, and re-charred. Whereas nonetheless providing loads of sugary berry notes, the aroma isn’t almost as concentrated with darkish fruit as the primary single cask we sampled in 2021. As issues open up, further layers of vanilla custard and unique wooden arrive. The palate follows swimsuit with a candy mixture of berry cobbler, caramelized sugar, and spice cupboard. The end is warming with a contact of latent spice and fading notes of Christmas cake and black tea. Not fairly as decadent as my first encounter, however with a richer texture on the palate and a bit extra stability. Nonetheless my favourite of the bunch. Reviewed: Cask No. 1256. 118.4 proof. A
every $150 / vadistillery.com
Virginia Distillery Co. Braveness & Conviction Bourbon Single Cask
$150
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