Virginia Distillery Co. Courage & Conviction Dr. George G. Moore Batch

This spirit most resembles a Scotch among the American Single Malts I have sampled. It brings to mind a young, sherry-finished Highland malt. The distillery's description is quite accurate. I detected creme brulee on the nose, and red currants, dark cherry/plum, and cinnamon on the palate. Cream and butterscotch notes complement the fruit well. The palate leans more towards sherry influence than red wine, possibly because the wine casks were treated, diminishing the wine's impact and allowing the cuvee casks to impart more wood spice and cocoa rather than wine notes. There's minimal smoke, but a good body provides substance. This is a spirit that reveals itself gradually. While the flavor profile doesn't fundamentally change, the intensity of the notes shifts, with the fruit and spice developing nicely as you drink. My appreciation for it grew with each sip and subsequent tasting. For the price of $75, if you find it reasonable to try a new whiskey, I suggest it. However, if that price feels steep or like a special occasion expense, alternatives like Glenmorangie Lasanta or Aberlour 12 might be more suitable. Personally, I was pleased to purchase this whiskey as a sophisticated American Single Malt; any perceived high cost likely contributes to the distiller's research and development expenses. The producer also deserves credit for providing comprehensive information about this spirit on their website.

I've typically found the spirits from this distillery to be a bit pricey for their caliber. They're certainly intriguing, but ultimately, I usually opt for a different bottle. This marks their initial attempt at producing their own spirit rather than sourcing it internationally. Let's see if they can win me over. The aroma is subtle, featuring light butterscotch with just a faint trace of smoke. The initial taste is unusually heavy. There are hints of honey and perhaps a touch of cinnamon, but despite their subtlety, the texture feels almost syrupy. These flavors are carried by a mild burn that emerges mid-palate and lingers into a warming finish. I'm finding this spirit more engaging than anticipated. The upfront sweetness is pleasant, and the gentle warming finish is quite agreeable. While I'm not quite ready to join the distillery's fan club, it's a solid pour. The cost remains a sticking point; I'd appreciate it more at roughly $20 less.

Nose - raisin, plum, red fruit, caramel, orange zest, banana, vanilla, peanut, cocoa, strong alcohol vapor. Taste - Hawaiian Punch, raspberry and other juicy red fruits, nut and raisin (from the sherry cask, but it doesn't dominate like some can), black pepper, spicy barrel notes, cocoa, banana, vanilla, peanut, a noticeable to strong bright alcohol bite, fading quickly with lingering fruity nuttiness, chocolate, and barrel spice. For some reason, I was predisposed to dislike this one, but I don't. It's not outstanding, but it's a solid debut for the Virginia Distillery Co. You can tell it's a young expression because of the bright, spicy alcohol bite. It's quite sweet (which isn't my preference), but it's not overwhelming or unpleasant. The aroma is rather flat and overpowered by the alcohol fumes, but the flavor profile is intricate and distinctive. I'm looking forward to the distillery's next release.

I've always been fascinated by American single malts and wish they were as mainstream as their corn-based counterparts. Therefore, I always seize the chance to sample a new one. The aroma is subtle, featuring beeswax, vanilla, and lemon. The palate is quite sweet, with notes of vanilla wafer cookies, honey, and cream. Before the finish, there are some deeper flavors like toffee and chocolate, leading into a spicy conclusion that leaves a long, slightly tart black pepper taste. This dram strongly evokes a Highlands Scotch and is equally intricate. If you appreciate Dalwhinnie or Deanston, I can confidently endorse this.

This could very well be the finest VA whiskey I've encountered (though I'm not an authority). It's rich with sweet vanilla and a hint of spice. Exceptionally smooth and easy to drink. The finish is brief and spicy. I'd prefer a bit more smoke, but that doesn't seem to be the intention here. While it is young (3 years) and shows some roughness, in a few more years, this will be a game-changer for VA. It surpasses the VA Distillery Highland Malt and is vastly different from the Copper Fox Single Malt I'm tasting currently.

The aroma is warm, pleasantly fruity, and buttery as it airs out; the palate is delicate yet substantial, echoing the malt-based, fruity, and sweet notes from the aroma but with greater depth and richness; the finish begins sweet and concludes with oak. This is a respectable whisky that I'm enjoying.