Brian’s Courage and Conviction American Single Malt Review:
reviewed 18-November-2023
COURAGE AND CONVICTION AMERICAN SINGLE MALT REVIEW:
The Courage and Conviction American Single Malt (Courage & Conviction ASM) presents a complex aroma, featuring soft alcohol and aromas reminiscent of sherry, Gewurztraminer, and dry Riesling wine. These are accompanied by floral notes and the subtlety of barley. Its flavor nearly mirrors the aroma with gentle soft alcohol, mingling with the likeness of sherry and Gewurztraminer wine. Its sweetness emanates from fruit blossoms, green grapes, and sweet peaches and is balanced by subtle acidity. As for its finish, it too follows what is delivered on the nose and palate. This is a fine example of American Single Malt Whiskey. Go pour yourself a glass.
COURAGE & CONVICTION AMERICAN SINGLE MALT VITAL STATS:
Category: American Single Malt
Region: Lovingston, VA
Distillery: Virginia Distillery Co.
Mash Bill: 100% malted barley
Barrel Char: unpublished
Barrel entry proof: unpublished
Casks:
– 50% ex-Bourbon Casks,
– 25% ex-Fino, Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez Sherry Casks
– 25% ex-Cuvée (European Red Wine) Casks
Age: nas (a minimum of 4 years)
ABV: 46% (92 Proof)
NABCA CSC #: 26713
Fair Price: $96.46 (BoozApp, Dec 2023)
Paid: $59.95 (Fall 2023, Idaho)
Harry Corkburn Batch
THE PERSON BEHIND THE BATCH
“The fourth batch of our Courage & Conviction American Single Malt line is dedicated to Harry Cockburn. Harry has been a mentor and inspiration to the Virginia Distillery Co. team from the time our very foundations were laid.
Harry entered the whisky world as a maintenance engineer in 1964 and retired in 2018 at 81 years of age. Over that period, Harry became chief engineer and eventually the production director for Morrison Bowmore Distillers, one of the oldest distillery companies in Scotland. He retired in 1994 only to return to the industry as a consultant six months later. Harry has left his mark on distilleries all over the world, including Scotland, England, Ireland, the USA, Canada, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, New Zealand, Italy, and Belgium.”
– Virginia Distillery Co.
ENJOYMENT METHOD FOR THE REVIEW:
Approximately four ounces from a newly opened bottle went into my Glencairn. After prepping for the review and nosing the pour, about 30 minutes had gone by before the first sip was taken.
COURAGE & CONVICTION AMERICAN SINGLE MALT NOSE:
Courage & Conviction ASM offers a complex aroma of soft alcohol notes, with the richness of sherry and the sweetness of Gewurztraminer and Off-dry Riesling wine. Its fragrance carries floral undertones of wine-infused fruit blossoms, which are complemented by a subtle dustiness of barley and oats. As I nose on, red berry nectar and tart grapes come in only to blend with apricots. There is subtle white pepper and yeasty tones which form a nice acidic balance. Hidden in its sweet fruity aromas are traces of orange sponge cake, delicate butterscotch, and buttery cashews, which fade into fresh and invigorating sweet dry oak.
COURAGE & CONVICTION AMERICAN SINGLE MALT PALATE:
The flavor profile of Courage & Conviction ASM follows the aromas found on the nose. The same gentle touch of soft alcohol delivers a dry and warming sensation of sherry and the sweetness of Gewurztraminer wine. The essence of fruit blossoms and the freshness of green grapes give foundation to slightly acidic sweet peaches. Ginger heat and green peppercorns mix with peach pastry while a hint of chocolate and cashew butter complete the sweet interplay of flavors. And the same sweet dry oak presence sensed on the nose lingers after each sip and contribute to the fresh and lightness of the pour.
Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
Each sip of Courage & Conviction ASM offers a creamy, viscous, and oily body, which makes it easy to hold and savor. There is only a slight tongue tickle, which simply helps to showcase a well-blended and balanced composition of aromas and flavors. After each sip is taken, a broken crown remains, and the presence of clinging droplets create thick, long legs which cling elegantly to the glass, adding to its allure before falling into the Amontillado sherry colored pool.
COURAGE & CONVICTION AMERICAN SINGLE MALT FINISH:
After each sip of Courage and Conviction American Single Malt finishes dry and warm with medium-length. I feel the affects of sherry and the sweetness of Dry Riesling wine in my throat, along with with touches of fruit blossoms and dusty grain. There are also traces of apricot, ginger, pepper, along with some pastry, butterscotch, and chocolate. Hidden in the dry oak and toasted wood a hint of cashews linger, leaving a light and refreshing impression. And when the last dram is downed, the empty Glencairn smells of toasted oak and light fresh fruit.
MY RATING: 88/100
Will I buy this whiskey again? YES
Click to read Brian’s scoring process.
Click 88/100 to access other whiskies Brian has awarded this score.
WHISKEY TRAITS, FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:
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