History

Our Story describes Virginia Distillery Co. as an American whiskey distillery founded on a vision by Dr. George G. Moore, an Irish-born founder with a desire to produce world-class single malt in America. His blood and spirit are carried on by his family with the motto "Have the courage of your convictions." VDC uses source water from the Blue Ridge Mountains and high-quality malted barley together with Virginia's climatic conditions, producing whiskey that develops in a dynamic climate. They clearly state that they let the whiskey tell when it is finished.

Production and Manufacturing

Virginia Distillery Co. produces American Single Malt Whisky (ASM) and follows the category principles, which as of January 19, 2025 are recognized by the TTB: 100% malted barley, mashing, distilling and aging in the USA, a single distillery, maximum 160° proof at distillation, oak barrel aging in vessels up to 700 liters, and bottling proof of at least 80 (40% ABV). Caramel coloring is permitted as long as it is clearly stated on the label. The page also describes the importance of the country’s climate for maturation and provenance, and that ex-bourbon or other types of cask finishing are often used to shape different flavor profiles. The history and production are also touched on through sections about: the copper pot still’s role in whisky production, and how in the USA you can use 100% malted barley and still be in accordance with ASF-like principles instead of traditional Scottish rules. The page also highlights that the whisky is 100% malted barley, distilled at a single distillery, and matured in oak barrels of considerable variation (new, uncharred, charred and/or used) with a maximum capacity of 700 liters. They also describe how quickly cognition can change in climatic conditions and how finished whiskies are created in specific cask types.

Products / Whisky Series

Virginia Distillery Co. offers a range of American Single Malt expressions, including: - Courage & Conviction (Signature Malt) – inspired by the founder’s principles and matured in first-fill bourbon barrels from Kentucky. - Cuvée Cask – matured in rare first-fill European wine casks through the STR process (Shave, Toast, Re-char). - Sherry Cask – matured in selected Spanish sherry casks (Pedro Ximénez, Fino and Oloroso). - Cabernet Cask – matured in first-fill bourbon barrels, finished in Cabernet casks (French and Californian wine casks mentioned). - Cider Cask – matured in ex-bourbon barrels and finished in French Calvados/Virginia cider casks and apple-based casks. - Port Cask Reserve – matured in ex-bourbon barrels and finished in tawny port casks as well as port-style wine casks from Virginia. - VHW Port Cask Finished Whisky – 100% malted barley, finished in port casks for at least 12 months, with port and tawny port casks (awards mentioned). - VHW Brewers Batch – collaboration with local breweries; finishing in brewery casks for a further 8–16 months. - VHW Scholar's Craft Coffee Cask – 100% malted barley, finished in coffee casks to honor support for the Angela H. Moore Women in Distilling Scholarship; limited release.

Limited Offerings (example releases): Boulevard Brewing Co. Proper Pour Stout Cask Finish, Foothills Sexual Chocolate Stout Cask Finish, Goose Island Bourbon County Stout Cask Finish, Goose Island Bourbon County Stout Bottled-in-Bond, Hardywood Gingerbread Stout Cask Finish. These releases show the breadth of beer-barrel finishes and other special cask experiences.

Production characteristics include: 100% malted barley as the base, aging in casks (often ex-bourbon) and finishing in various specialty casks to create complex, layered aromas and flavors. Also mentioned are existing products like Cabernet Cask and Cider Cask available as 700 ml bottles at 93 proof (46.5% ABV) in certain products.

Visiting and Experiences

Virginia’s Distillery offers visitor experiences including Tours and Tastings via their Visitors Center. In addition, ASM Academy is available as an educational program dedicated to American Single Malt Whisky, covering history, production and tasting. There are also memberships such as Courage Club and Cask Society, offering access to exclusive whiskies, events and experiences, as well as ASM Academy (educational course) for those who want to learn more about the ASM category. If you want to find a glass outside the distillery, you can use their extensive network of retailers via Store Locator.

Philosophy

The philosophy at Virginia Distillery Co. centers on courage and belief in their vision: Have the courage of your convictions. Their whiskey is rooted in tradition and heritage, combined with openness to innovation and new wood casks and finish techniques. Their approach emphasizes a close connection between cultural heritage, craftsmanship and experimentation – always with a focus on letting the whiskey tell its own story and delivering a high standard of craft and excellence. There is an emphasis on producing expressions that honestly reflect the barley and Virginia’s climate’s distinctive characteristics.