Distillery: Virginia Distillery Co.  

ABV: 46% (92 proof)

Age: 3 years age statement

Mash bill: 100% malted barley

Casks: The Signature is a mix of ex-bourbon, ex-sherry, and ex-red wine cuvée casks. Exact percentages aren’t specified, but it’s definitely ex-bourbon forward with a healthy sherry influence

Price: $36 (Huntsville, AL) on clearance, normal retail is $60

Sampling method: neat in a copita 

Color: 1.1 Burnished

Nose: Apple juice and a white wine like Chardonnay. Also some more floral notes like apple blossom or cherry blossom. 

Palate: Butterscotch and caramel flavors up front, along with lots of light fruity flavors - pear, green apple, honeydew. Also get some stewed fruit notes that I attribute to the sherry cask influence.  It’s a really nice drink that’s refreshing, almost effervescent, but with depth and complexity. 

Finish: Medium length. Left mostly with the sherry influence, and some heavier wood spice and white pepper

Rating: 7/10 - It’s a well balanced, yet interesting dram. I like the refreshing, effervescent nature of it. There’s no over-the-top cask finishes, mesquite wood smoke, or anything else that makes ASM as a category so varied and interesting (or potentially undrinkable if done poorly) but it’s a super solid middle of the road ASMW that won’t offend anyone with its flavors. 

Value: 4/5 unfortunately for single malts, $60 is almost becoming the entry level price point. For me, Courage and Conviction stands above most other ASMWs I’ve had in that price range on quality, and for that it earns a 4. Bonus points if you can find it on clearance for $36!

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t8ke scale (1 to 10)

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

6 | Very Good | A cut above.

7 | Great | Well above average.

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.

10 | Perfect | Perfect.

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Value (1 to 5)

1 | Highway robbery. When you splurge for that “special” bottle and it falls utterly flat

2 | Overpriced. Not worth what you paid for it, considering you could’ve spent less and gotten something objectively better. 

3 | Fairly valued. Could be a cheap bottle that’s decent quality, or an $$$ bottle that absolutely delivers. The quality of the whiskey in the bottle matches what you’d expect for that price point. 

4 | Good Value. This is one of the best 20% of bottles in this price range. 

5 | Total steal. A bottle that punches above its weight even compared with more expensive bottles. 

Review #26: Courage and Conviction Signature Malt