Virginia Distillery Co. Courage & Conviction Sherry Cask

Nose - fig, plum, apricot, cinnamon, raisin, sulfur, black pepper, clove, strawberry jam, barrel spice, grass, honey, nut, mild to moderate ethanol burn. Taste - sour apple, plum, apricot, dry vanilla, raisin, orange zest, caramel, grass, lemon, allspice, clove, black pepper, meaty sulfur, date, spiced nut, bitter herbal notes, moderate alcohol bite, finishing medium short with dry fruit, baking spice, and bitter herbal flavors. Last up on my Virginia Distillery Co is this Sherry cask offering. The sherry influence immediately hits you on the nose. The dry, spiced fruit and nuttiness are strong. This is the only of the three cask releases that would have probably fooled me into thinking it was from Scotland. The palate is bold, citrusy, jammy, and spicy. However, there’s a nontrivial sulfurous note that doesn’t altogether ruin the nose and palate, but it’s certainly unwelcome. This reminds me of Glenmorangie Lasanta, and I think it’s about on par with it as well. Both have some nice sherry influence, but fall short with the execution. The same insidious sulfur note sneaks in and puts a damper on the entire experience. Of the three Courage & Conviction cask releases, the Cuvée is my favorite. I’m not sure whether I like this or the Bourbon cask better, but they’re fairly close for me. Still, the flagship Courage & Conviction bottling remains my number one (and it’s cheaper than the three cask editions), although I likely won’t pick one up due to the premium pricing.

Berry aroma, and butter. Sweet with berries and cream. Finish is buttery but sweet.

Carmel smell with a hint of toastiness. Smooth, oily, caramely, tingly

Fruity on the nose but spicy on the tongue and a little oily.

Fruity and wheaty on the nose. Spicy and oily palette. Finish is more of the same.