Prelude: Courage & Conviction Single Malt Whisky Review

Jeffrey Schwartz -

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