Virginia Distillery Co. has introduced The Split Barrel Project, a new limited-release series that blends Kentucky Straight Bourbon with American Single Malt whisky. Project #1, the inaugural release, combines liquid sourced from Bardstown Bourbon Company with Virginia Distillery Co.’s own single malt and will be available beginning May 2026.
The release is a 50/50 blend of four-year-old bourbon from Bardstown, Kentucky, and five-year-old American Single Malt from Virginia Distillery Co.’s Lovingston, Virginia, facility. The company says no blend of this kind has previously been brought to market in the United States.
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The bourbon component is made from a mash bill of 75% corn, 15% rye, and 10% malted barley. The American Single Malt is crafted from 100% malted barley and aged exclusively in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels.
“The Split Barrel Project is unlike anything else on a back bar or retail shelf,” said Gareth Moore, CEO of Virginia Distillery Co. “We’re creating a gateway into American Single Malt by meeting bourbon drinkers where they are, while still showcasing the depth and character that defines our whisky.”
Moore added: “It’s a bold step forward in growing the category.”
The official tasting notes from the brand describe aromas of warm oak, vanilla, and caramel on the nose. The palate is said to deliver layers of rich malt, stone fruit, and chocolate with a balanced and approachable profile.
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The release is positioned to serve as a bridge between the established bourbon category and the rapidly expanding American Single Malt segment. The American Single Malt Whiskey Commission has worked in recent years to define formal standards for the category, and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau finalized a formal standard of identity for American Single Malt Whisky in 2025, cementing its recognition alongside bourbon and rye.
Project #1 (Bardstown) will be available in limited quantities online at shop.vadistillery.com and through select retailers nationwide for an SRP of $44.99.
Future editions of The Split Barrel Project will feature new distillery collaborations, with each release bringing a different partner and perspective to the format.
Virginia Distillery Co., which began production in 2015, produces American Single Malt whisky at its distillery in Nelson County, Virginia, and has established itself as one of the leading producers in the emerging category.
