Review: Virginia Distillery The Brewer’s Coalition American Single Malts
Located in Lovingston, Virginia Distillery has quickly garnered a following as one of the premiere distillers of American single malt. The Brewer’s Coalition series features some of the distillery’s oldest single malt finished in casks from popular breweries. For this series, Virginia Distillery enters whisky aged for at least 5 years into beer casks for 8 to 10 months of additional aging. The base whisky is aged in first-fill ex-Kentucky bourbon barrels, mostly from Brown-Forman. The Fall 2024 releases feature two whiskies: one finished in Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout barrels and the other in Hardywood Gingerbread Stout barrels.
Virginia Distillery went with two heavy-hitter stouts, but do they live up to the potential? Let’s find out!
Virginia Distillery Co. The Brewer’s Coalition Stout Cask Finish American Single Malt: Hardywood Gingerbread Stout – Hardywood Park Craft Brewery calls Richmond, Virginia home. November brings the highly anticipated annual release of its Gingerbread Stout, an imperial milk stout, made with ginger and honey.
The nose opens with juicy peach. However, the finishing cask quickly leaves a mark as fresh ginger and molasses enter the picture. The nose rounds out with a sweet citrus note in the form of Lemonheads candy. Leading off the palate, black tea and ginger jump to the forefront. Cinnamon and molasses combine with the ginger to trigger thoughts of gingersnaps. Tannins and spice are counterbalanced by note of sweet marshmallow cream, adding to the sensation of a medium-thick mouthfeel. The influence of the stout cask carries to the finish, where ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon linger.
The finish makes for a highly unique and memorable single malt that is perfect for autumn. While pumpkin spice lattes draw the bulk of attention regarding fall beverages, Virginia Distillery offers up a challenger. The ginger notes are definitely noticeable, but far from overwhelming or tasting artificial. This is a bottle worth grabbing in any season, but it’s perfect for autumn. 100 proof. A- / $50
Virginia Distillery Co. The Brewer’s Coalition Stout Cask Finish Bottled in Bond American Single Malt: Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout – Goose Island is located in Chicago and creates a clamor every Black Friday with its annual release of the Bourbon County Brand Stout series. Bardstown Bourbon Co. was the first notable distillery to finish bourbon in Bourbon County Brand Stout Barrels, but Virginia Distillery is the first to do so with American single malt. Adding to the intrigue, this offering is bottled in bond, unlike the Hardywood release.
Molasses and bitter dark chocolate are the first notes to waft upward from the glass. Provided with a few minutes to air, roasted hazelnuts and overripe banana join the bouquet. Light ginger and cocoa powder lead the way on the palate. As this progresses, nutmeg and honey make way for candied pecans. The mouthfeel is dense and sits heavily on the tongue, as the finish transitions to a bright grapefruit zest met with more ginger. The lovely dram concludes with a layer of light brown sugar that coats the mouth.
Bourbon County Brand Stout was an excellent and harmonious choice for a finishing cask. Combining the quality single malt with a stout carrying national acclaim, this should be on the wish list for all whiskey enthusiasts. 100 proof. A / $50
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