Virginia Distillery Company’s Courage & Conviction line American Single Malt Whisky is a beautiful golden yellow color in the glass, reminiscent of an apple cider or apple juice. Bottled at 92 proof (46% ABV), this whisky has, without any water being added, aromas of caramel and butterscotch that were initially somewhat muted before swirling in the glass a few times.
ON THE NOSE (WITHOUT WATER):
There is also a distinctly juicy, crisp fruit note that reminds me of apples and apricots (and maybe raspberries) with a tartness to the smell too. The fruit aromas begin but are cut off/overpowered by the caramel and butterscotch. There is also a bit of an alcohol heat kick.
On subsequent post-neck pours, there are still hints of caramel and butterscotch with a strong juicy fruit aroma like a muted apple or apricot juice (or overripe fruit) with a citrusy note.
ON THE NOSE (WITH 2-3 DROPS OF SMARTWATER FROM A GLENCAIRN PIPETTE & SWIRLING IN THE GLASS):
Aromas of fruit, citrus, caramel & butterscotch – a mix with the fruity aromas at the forefront, unlike without the drops of water, & a light hint of vanilla.
On subsequent post-neck pours, the fruit & citrus aromas come to the forefront and the caramel & butterscotch notes remain in the background.
ON THE PALATE (WITHOUT WATER):
Initial quick hit of sweetness & fruity flavors followed immediately by black pepper & ginger spicy heat, wood tannins & barrel spice with a slight bitterness on the back palate after the swallow.
On subsequent post-neck pours, the flavor profile remains largely the same. The oaky bitterness is quite prominent, though it doesn’t last overly long on the back of the tongue after the swallow.
ON THE PALATE (WITH 1-2 DROPS OF SMARTWATER FROM A GLENCAIRN PIPETTE):
The fruity sweetness is more apparent on the palate, mixed with caramel & butterscotch smoothness. The black pepper-ginger spicy heat is still present & prominent with alcohol heat (but it’s a smoother heat that emerges as the sweetness of the first half of the sip comes to a close. There are also hints of malty/peaty smokiness with slight oak tannin bitterness (not overly prominent & that reminds me, somewhat, of unsweetened, bitter cocoa powder).
On subsequent post-neck pours, the flavor profile remains largely the same. The pepper/ginger spiciness & heat remains prominent with only fleeting sweetness. The oak tannin/anise-like bitterness is also still there, remaining at the forefront for 3-5 seconds on the back of the tongue after the swallow. The heat stays around in the back of the throat and on the tongue after the swallow. I don’t get the vanilla from the distillery’s own tasting profile notes.
*This single malt has decent viscosity in the glass, but it doesn’t coat the sides for very long. It has a nice mouthfeel with a fairly short, briefly creamy, finish.
*Tasted using a Glencairn glass.*
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One response to “REVIEW – Virginia Distillery Company’s Courage & Conviction – American Single Malt Whisky”
[…] for this jumping in to straight scotch. I’ve reviewed the VDC selections I sampled, the Signature Single Malt, Double Cask Reserve, Cider Cask Finished blend, and the Port Cask Finished blend, and also wrote […]
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