Great overview. I've basically given up on American Single Malts, based largely on the value proposition and the fact I have yet to find one that breaks through from "this is pretty good" to "this is amazing." I was really hoping Virginia Distilling Company would get better over the years, but their ceiling, to my palate, is just okay. Their bottles have widely started to go on deep (50 percent) discounts.
That is a shame to hear, but in the grand scheme, this style is still so new. I guarantee they'll be a break through style, this at five years old is pretty good! I didn't think I'd enjoy it.
The very low 5 years of aging is definitely a yellow flag right away but I really like that they aged it in wine cognac caskes so it's got to be at least average to maybe decent quality at best but the youthful young age does worry me a bit
I can understand this worry of younger age, but in all honesty I'm a fan of the transparency of it. I feel so many brands would leave off the age if they could, even in Scotch, Irish and Japanese whiskies. Age has never bothered me personally, it can all be quite situational, especially when it comes to liquids matured in higher temperature climates like this one was. Overall, the taste is very good, it's a great spring and summer time sipper.
Coloring the whisky is not really a thing in the US. I’m not going to say it never happens, but I haven’t seen one yet. It’s probably because the casks they use (usually lots of charred virgin oak, or in this case wine casks) offer plenty of color . I’ve had many American Single Malts in the last couple of years, but I’ve never heard of Wolves. It definitely sounds interesting!
Yes, colouring is rarely an issue, it's normally heavier on the chill filtration side of things - thankfully the brand confirmed via email that it's both natural in colour and un-chill filtered. I would have never seen this if it wasn't for being sent a bottle. I'm pretty sure it's still only available state side, but if that flavour is consistent then it could get over here rather quickly.
Great overview.
I've basically given up on American Single Malts, based largely on the value proposition and the fact I have yet to find one that breaks through from "this is pretty good" to "this is amazing."
I was really hoping Virginia Distilling Company would get better over the years, but their ceiling, to my palate, is just okay. Their bottles have widely started to go on deep (50 percent) discounts.
That is a shame to hear, but in the grand scheme, this style is still so new.
I guarantee they'll be a break through style, this at five years old is pretty good! I didn't think I'd enjoy it.
The very low 5 years of aging is definitely a yellow flag right away but I really like that they aged it in wine cognac caskes so it's got to be at least average to maybe decent quality at best but the youthful young age does worry me a bit
I can understand this worry of younger age, but in all honesty I'm a fan of the transparency of it. I feel so many brands would leave off the age if they could, even in Scotch, Irish and Japanese whiskies. Age has never bothered me personally, it can all be quite situational, especially when it comes to liquids matured in higher temperature climates like this one was. Overall, the taste is very good, it's a great spring and summer time sipper.
Coloring the whisky is not really a thing in the US. I’m not going to say it never happens, but I haven’t seen one yet. It’s probably because the casks they use (usually lots of charred virgin oak, or in this case wine casks) offer plenty of color . I’ve had many American Single Malts in the last couple of years, but I’ve never heard of Wolves. It definitely sounds interesting!
Yes, colouring is rarely an issue, it's normally heavier on the chill filtration side of things - thankfully the brand confirmed via email that it's both natural in colour and un-chill filtered. I would have never seen this if it wasn't for being sent a bottle. I'm pretty sure it's still only available state side, but if that flavour is consistent then it could get over here rather quickly.