Review: Virginia Distillery Co. Courage & Conviction Cuvée Single Cask

Over the summer time, Virginia Distillery Co. added three new offerings to their line of Braveness & Conviction single malts, every drawn from shares used within the core Courage & Conviction mix. If that wasn’t proof sufficient that the distillery has actually ramped up their single malt manufacturing, we now have the newest bottling: Braveness & Conviction Cuvée Single Cask. It’s the primary single cask, restricted version providing distilled and aged at Virginia Distillery Co., bottled at cask power with out chill filtration and drawn from a single Cuvée Cask. The Cuvée Cask, for these following alongside at house, is one among three part casks in the usual Braveness & Conviction mix, and it’s shaping as much as be an actual fan favourite. What makes this one so particular? It’s aged in a crimson wine cask that has been shaved, toasted, and re-charred, what’s recognized within the trade as “STR” (“Cuvée” is far sexier, so kudos to the Virginia Distillery Co. advertising and marketing people). The usual Braveness & Conviction Cuvée Cask was my favourite of the brand new trio. So, how does this cask power model single cask evaluate?

After tasting a youthful pattern of cask power Cuvée Cask again in 2019, I noticed the way it might actually elevate the Braveness & Conviction mix. The usual launch was spectacular, even at proof, however returning to cask power, I’m reminded what an intense taste bomb that is. The aroma is bigger than the usual Cuvée Cask however nonetheless fairly concentrated with huge, daring fruit notes. Raspberry candies in powdered sugar, darkish berry preserves, and cherry frosting are only a few of the confectionary aromas coming from my glass. It’s ethereal with a texture that alternates between pastry cream and spun sugar. That very same focus of fruit interprets to the entrance palate with juicy, ripe strawberry and cranberry sauce notes. It borders on over-candied on the outset however rapidly transitions to a extra advanced and balanced mixture of sugary fruits and the underlying, honeyed malt, which, as with the usual providing, presents a definite chocolaty word. At first, it’s all cocoa powder, however then creamier, darkish chocolate envelops these crimson fruits till you’re left with a giant field of fancy chocolate-covered strawberries. It’s a curler coaster trip of predominantly fruit-forward flavors, which could not enchantment to the extra conventional malt lover. I, for one, am actually, actually having fun with it.

119.4 proof. Reviewed: Cask No. 1253.

A / $120 / vadistillery.com [BUY IT NOW FROM DRIZLY]

$120

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Ranking

9.5/10

About Publish Writer

Drew Beard

Drew Beard is Assistant Editor and Social Media Supervisor for Drinkhacker. He has studied and written about beer, whisk(e)y, and different spirits since he first began consuming them, incomes a number of booze-related benefit badges alongside the way in which, together with Licensed Specialist in Spirits and Government Bourbon Steward. Along with his work with Drinkhacker, Drew can be Spirits Editor for Santé Journal. A recovering Federal authorities worker, he’s completely happy to have lastly discovered a profession the place it’s acceptable to drink on the job.