Prelude: Courage & Conviction Single Malt Whisky Review
he American Single Malt category continues to experience popularity and growth. While it isn’t meant to mimic its Scotch or Irish counterparts, they do start with the same basic ingredient: 100% malted barley.
BOTTLE DETAILS
- DISTILLER: Virginia Distillery Co.
- MASH BILL: 100% Malted Barley
- Fermentation: Standard
- Cooperage: Matured in ex-Bourbon, ex-Sherry and ex-Cuvee Wine Casks
- AGE: Three years
- YEAR: 2019
- PROOF: 92 Proof (46% ABV)
- MSRP: $69.99
- BUY ONLINE: Wine-Searcher.com
JEFF'S NOTES
NOSE: Sweet Apple | Raisin | Chocolate | Sweet Vanilla
TASTE: Raisin | Berry | Dark Chocolate | Oak
FINISH: Medium to long, with white pepper and butterscotch.
SHARE WITH: Friends who appreciate the growing American Single Malt category.
WORTH THE PRICE: This is approaching the higher end of American Single Malts, but still well within reason.
BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: I would add this to my whiskey library and be quite pleased, it is worth the investment of a Bottle.
OVERALL: The American Single Malt category continues to experience popularity and growth. While it isn't meant to mimic its Scotch or Irish counterparts, they do start with the same basic ingredient: 100% malted barley.
Billed as a limited edition release for early 2020, Virginia Distillery Co. presents Prelude: Courage & Conviction in a rich-looking, attention-grabbing package.
Virginia Distilling Co. takes an interesting route by using three different types of barrels to age their whiskey: ex-Bourbon barrels, ex-Sherry casks and ex-Cuvee casks. The latter, in particular, is not something I've experienced.
I have to admit that at first sip, I was somewhat unimpressed and disappointed. But, I came back about a week later and that bit of oxidization was enough to transform this into a delicious whisky.
The biggest kick in the butt is the butterscotch on the finish. That's not something that I find in many single malts, American or otherwise, and the white pepper is a weird but surprisingly wonderful compliment to it.
I've found Virginia Distillery Co. to be a positive player in the American Single Malt category and wholeheartedly stand behind my Bottle rating for Prelude: Courage & Conviction. Cheers!
BRAND NOTES
"HAVE THE COURAGE OF YOUR CONVICTIONS."
With the courage to create our own traditions, and the conviction to remain true to ourselves and our home, Courage & Conviction sets the new standard for American whisky, rivaling the finest in the world.
Developed under the tutelage of the late Dr. Jim Swan, Courage & Conviction features three core barrel types:
- Bourbon casks: These barrels formerly held Kentucky bourbon from well-known distilleries. Aging in American oak bourbon casks add notes of vanilla, caramel, butterscotch, oak, smoke and cinnamon.
- Sherry casks: The distillery uses Sherry cask types, including Fino, Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez. These casks give the whisky notes of tart cherry, golden raisin, fig, caramelized plum, brown sugar and spice.
- Cuvée casks: This innovative barrel is sourced from premium European red wine producers. After the wine is removed, the cask is broken down, the interior shaved, re-toasted and re-charred, and then put back together again. The re-toasting and re-charring of the cask energizes the wood sugars and brings forward barrel spice, bright red fruit and toasted pecan.
The Flagship release of Courage & Conviction, due out in Spring 2020, is a combination of these three cask types. Additional products will feature individual bottlings of each cask type, with a targeted release date in the Fall 2020.
Disclaimer: Virginia Distillery Co. provided Bourbon & Banter with a sample of their product for this review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you