When most people think of Virginia and whiskey, they probably think of the Bowman family. But there are also some interesting things coming out of Virginia Distillery Co. This one happens to a port-cask aged American single malt with some Scotch blended in. Interesting concept. This happens to be from Batch No. 14. Nose: Malt, toffee, vanilla, and cereal grain. Cocoa. Sugar cookie. Apricot. Some fig, date, raisin notes from the port cask. Cranberry. Pear. Almond and cashew. Pecan. Dried Gouda cheese. Cola. Pomegranate. Oak. Palate: Apple, pear, orange citrus. Vanilla, toffee, malt. There’s a peppermint Icebreaker or maybe a Mentos note. Sugar cookie. Caramel. Pecan. Coffee. Honeydew. Blackberry, plum, raisin, date, and fig. Cranberry to boot. Finish: Cranberry, fig, date, and raisin. Pear, apricot, orange citrus. Sugar cookie, vanilla, toffee, malt. Cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. Black pepper and oak spice. Medium-length. Fantastic. A true diamond in the rough if I’ve ever had one. It’s unique, as expected of an American-Scottish single malt hybrid. But more importantly, it’s a clean, crisp, and powerful combination of the distinct attributes of both nations’ best work. At $47, this boasts some of the best VFM you’re going to find in the whiskey category. If you’re feeling the squeeze from the tariffs and price hikes on your Scotch, this is by far the “Scotchiest” American single malt, and it’s much cheaper for us than anything comparable from across the pond. 4.5/5. A unique whiskey in so many ways. An American/Scotch malt hybrid aged in port barrels. It works, no question about it. Looks like I’ve got to track down the chard and cider casks next, and then move on to their fully in-house stuff. Excellent.