Virginia Distillery Co. Cider Cask Finished Virginia-Highland Whisky

Ah, locally produced whisky. There’s nothing like a spirit made in the area. Virginia Distillery Company is located in the mountainous region of Virginia, specifically Nelson County, and they’ve quickly ramped up production on their own take on Scottish single malt style whisky. They are so fond of Scottish whisky that they’ve blended it into their initial releases until their own whisky has matured enough to be released on its own. They use small amounts of Virginia malt mash, blend it with an undisclosed Highland distillery single malt, and then finish it for around 8-12 months in various casks. This particular release is finished in ex-Cider casks from two Virginia cideries: Potter’s in Charlottesville and Buskey in Richmond. This release from the Commonwealth Collection is straw yellow in color and makes fast-moving legs in the taster. It’s watery and leaves behind huge droplets, as well. The nose is primarily orchard fruits and oak. Toffee and vanilla creme candies provide the sweetness, but the caramel comes across as extra sugary and over-manufactured (if that makes sense). The palate is youthful, but incredibly creamy. Highland sherry scotch and caramel-dipped apples really stand out here and make for an oily, warm, and mouthwatering dram. It’s right on the edge of being too dessert sweet, but there’s enough heat and alcohol presence to keep it from crossing that line. The finish is medium length, creamy, and warm with a pleasant malty aspect that lingers. You can still taste apples and caramel for some time. This release will continue to have successive batches, unlike the others in the Commonwealth Series (if I recall correctly), released every fall – perfect timing and a great way to watch the leaves turn here in Virginia’s Shenandoah Mountains. This is likely my favorite from VDC up to this point, although the price is currently too high at $65. There’s also currently a lawsuit between VDC and the Scottish Whisky Association over their use of the Highland nameplate, so I’m wondering if this whole series could just end, especially if their own spirit is starting to reach bottling ages and quality. This is a 4-4.25 star dram, and if you like cider and wish it had a heavier kick, this could be your thing. Cheers.

VA Distilling Co. Cider Cask Finished (My bottle is Batch 4, but my impressions were consistent with earlier batches). Pours a pale straw into my Glencairn glass. Resembles apple juice or Lipton bottled green tea. Aroma: The cider is apparent immediately upon opening, with a strong apple scent. In the glass, notes of Granny Smith apple, malt, cream, buttery biscuits, tea, a faint wisp of smoke, and a touch of tartness emerge. It becomes more intricate as it rests. I find this aroma quite appealing. Neat: Despite the lack of prominent wood on the nose, it's the first thing I notice on the palate. Flavors of apple, beeswax, barrel wood, ginger, and some smoke are present. A pleasant peppery tingle runs through it. There's a mild bitterness present, but it never becomes overpowering or unpleasant. The finish is mildly warming, coating the mouth with a slightly sweet vanilla and oak essence. The apple is certainly detectable, but for me, it's not significantly more pronounced than what I'd find in a fruit-forward Highland Single Malt. With a splash: The added liquid significantly sweetened the finish by mitigating the lingering bitterness. Conclusion: This offering was a pleasant surprise. I anticipated something in the 3-star range, but it earned a solid 4. I was hesitant to purchase it at $65 a bottle, but I discovered a gift set containing three 375ml bottles (Cider, Chardonnay, and Port) for only $30 – an excellent value. The concept of blending American and Scottish malt and then secondary aging them seems challenging, but VA Distillery has succeeded. Cheers!

Nose: red apple, cereal grains, a hint of lemon, light oak Palate: more malty grains, some orange Finish: vanilla, mint, light smoke, sweet apple While not the most complex whiskey available, it offers a distinct taste. The nose prominently features the cider cask aroma, the palate reflects the whiskey grains' youth, and the finish showcases the gentle peat from the scotch blend. Value: B+, is it the best whiskey ever? No. A great whiskey? No. But for $40, it seems like a bargain.

I really didn't care for the aroma at all. It reminded me of the manicure places in shopping centers, a very strong chemical scent. The taste is better, lots of fruit, specifically tart apple peels, but it's well concealed by a very astringent, burnt toast flavor that requires an acquired taste. I can't decide if it spent too much or too little time in the barrel. It's very different from most whiskeys on the shelf, which is a refreshing change!

Aroma: Pleasant sweet scents, stone fruits, a touch of smoke, honey, and very mild heat. Post-swirl aroma: Apple essence dominates! Fruity sweetness fades, revealing a more intense smokiness. Taste: Medium body, juicy! Clear apple notes, much smokier on the palate, toasted cocoa, dried orchard fruits, gentle malt character. Aftertaste: Slightly dry, fruity sweetness transitions to a lingering smoky malt.

The aroma is a bit musty and definitely gives off cider notes. The taste is smooth, with some bright sweet notes on the palate. The cider finish has a pleasing softening effect on the whiskey. Vanilla and golden apple notes stand out. The finish offers a pleasant warming burn, like a hot toddy on a cool autumn evening. Overall, a different but very nice dram.