American

Virginia Distillery Co. Cabernet Cask Select American Single Malt Review

What happens when bourbon-matured whisky meets French and Californian cabernet casks? A stunning contrast between nose and palate you won't expect.

OVERALL RATING

8
Like Conversation

Tasting Notes

About:

A cabernet cask finish from the folks at Virginia Distillery Co. Matured in ex-bourbon casks for a majority of its life, it is then finished in a combination of ex-French and ex-Californian cabernet wine casks.
Appearance:
Golden Syrup
Nose:
Sticky cherries and brown sugar. Strawberry syrup, vanilla ice cream, chocolate sprinkles, juicy oranges, stem ginger, blackberry juice and freshly cut oak.
Palate:
Meatier! Much fuller and richer than the nose would give off with those alluring fruit notes. Cured, salty, fatty deli meats with cranberries, orange and walnut oils. Walnut bitters, ginger, Old Fashioned cocktails, not tannic at all, delivering slightly fresher, fruitier notes towards the end of the taste.
Finish:
Cigar box spices, spied oranges, plums, quite a Christmas driven flavour profile with a balance of sweetness, spiciness, good oak content and a gently juicy, fresher finish as the finish rounds out. A very long finish with great quality wood notes.
Comments:
Super tasty! The contrast between the nose and the palate is wonderful, culminating in a balanced finish of both big profiles at the end. A hugely long finish that goes on and on!

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Phil Dwyer

Phil Dwyer is a freelance whisky writer and consultant. With a decade of experience in whisky retail and nearly as long running Whisky Wednesday on YouTube, Phil is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with fellow whisky lovers. His goal is to make whisky accessible and enjoyable, dispelling the jargon and complexity that can sometimes surround the spirit. In addition to his online presence, Phil managed The Whisky Shop Manchester, where he curated an impressive selection of some of the finest drams available.

All Posts

Latest On The Whiskey Wash