Virginia Distillery Whisky Chardonnay Cask Finished

On the nose, this delightfully golden blonde whiskey is instantly, boldly grainy, toasty with wood, and heavy with alcohol. Slightly green, almost musty at times, it leads unceremoniously into a young and relatively unchallenging palate. Hints of green apple provide pockets of solace, but the overwhelming top (and bottom) note is a brash granary character — dry hay, toasted wheat, and barnyardy animal feed. The finish is brief but hot with alcohol, never really changing the tenor of the discussion to date.

Creamy vanilla and citrus with small burst of baking spices like cinnamon. It has a slight grassy undertone that balances out the sweetness too. Now that it has been opened for a few weeks, those sharp Chardonnay notes really have mellowed out, giving the whisky a whisper of Chardonnay and it really is lovely.