The Brewer’s Coalition | 50% ABV

Score: 6/10

**Good stuff.**
***TL;DR***
*It’s malt Jim, but not as we know it*

Parenting, Tattoos & Unlikely Bonds

This past Friday was the beginning of Labor Day Weekend, a three-day holiday here in the States. As I returned home, I was downright relieved and happy.

The one missing element was the fact that my wife was not here. She was enjoying some extended time with the kids. They were able to fly to a mutually convenient location together so, home alone, after tending to the pets and fixing dinner, I went to sit out on my back porch.

The weather, while still warm, has turned a bit and the humidity has retreated. I couldn’t say that it was sweater weather – far from it – but with the sun down it was refreshing; only a little humidity with a meaningful breeze. It was lovely.

I sat and soaked it in. I brought out a bottle and a cigar, and slowly became one with the rocking chair.

The wrap up of the day was glorious. Matching the happiness I was gleaning from the patio, my cigar, and my glass of whiskey, I picked up my phone to check the Dramface WhatsApp chat.

It has been said before by me and other of my fellow writers, but the magic of our Dramface WhatsApp chat cannot be overstated. The banter and never-ending camaraderie among our Dramface writers warms my heart. Thirty souls scattered around the globe – many of whom have never met any of the others in person – but we all know each other as if we’d been best friends since playing in the sandbox at kindergarten. The magic of whisky brings people together, indeed.

On this particular evening, one of our crew apologised for his absence from a few inquiries as he confessed to having had some trouble with a teenage son at home. No particular details were given but it was clear that the teenage son had been stepping well over boundaries which completely vexed and frustrated his parents.

It was easy to read between the lines and sense the utter frustration, anger, and bewilderment. Those of us in the group who have, or have had, teenage sons immediately chimed in with genuine sympathies and support. Did I mention I love this group? The rallying to the comfort and aid of this particular father was wonderful to see. It continues to not be lost on me, as said, that many of us rallying to the messaging aid have never met each other, in person. And yet, the love and strength of bonds here is unparalleled.

I mentioned a few things to this vexed father but stated that, in similar parenting situations I had in the past, I would harken to what my Father often told me: this, too, shall pass. I am not sure how comforting that was to my friend, but that phrase helped me get through many of the vexing phases that were provided – often out of the blue – by my sons.

As I reflected on my Father’s wisdom, I reflected on my parents and what I myself put them through. I was hardly a juvenile delinquent, but every son goes through phases that challenge and vex his parents…leaving grey hair and wrinkles in their wake. I was no exception.

I became lost in memories of my parents. I thought about my Mother who passed away at age 56, and my Father who passed away three years ago. Some laughter, some tears, and many deep sighs ensued for a good amount of time. At which point, I looked down at my right forearm.

I was wearing a t-shirt and two tattoos were visible – these being the ones that I added a few years ago, and of which experience I wrote about in these Dramface pages. One of the tattoos is an homage to my parents. I sat staring at that tattoo for quite some time, thinking about my parents, thinking about how they raised me, thinking about the paces I put them through, and reflecting on how appreciative I am to have had those two as a Mother and a Father…and how blessed I have been.

I reflected on the grey hair and wrinkles I have (in spades) from the various and seemingly continuous challenges posed by my sons over the past decade… and more. I reflected on my sons and how they have matured and how proud of them I am. And, I reflected on my Dramface brother and hoped that his particular challenges pass quickly and, at some time, his son will unexpectedly walk up to him at some unexpected time, and say, “I love you, Dad.”

Nothing is better for a parent.

Even though I was physically by myself, I know I am never alone. I always feel the presence of my parents with me. With all of this reflection, I knew I needed to raise a dram – yes, I do this while by myself or when I am with others. I needed to raise a dram to my parents and to my Dramface brother. My glass was empty, so I went back inside and opened the whisky cabinet to inspect my thirty-odd bottles. After a quick scan, I thought it appropriate to grab a bottle from the same distillery I wrote about when speaking of the tribute I had inked on my arm.

And so, I pulled out the bottle I am reviewing here. Good label, good vibes, and good thoughts and wishes to send.

Review

Virginia Distilling Co., Sexual Chocolate, The Brewer’s Coalition, Stout Cask Finish, 50% ABV
USD$49 (£36) limited availability

I wrote my review of the Virginia Distillery Co.’s Courage and Conviction expression after getting my last two tattoos. With another Virginia Distillery Co. expression in the whisky cabinet, it seemed appropriate to sit down with that bottle this evening.

Some exciting things are coming from the Appalachian foothills in central Virginia. Virginia Distillery Co., has been establishing itself as a leader in the American single malt movement. It has only been since 2011 when they broke ground on their Lovingston, Virginia distillery, but they have made a solid name for themselves. I have reviewed their Courage & Conviction, their Cider Cask finish, and their Port Cask finished expressions – and all were good.

I saw this bottle and it quickly went into the cart as it had a very reasonable $49 USD price tag, a healthy 50% ABV, and that Virginia Distillery name. The stout cask was a curiosity, though frankly I thought this would either be quite good or potentially go the route of some red wine casks and disappoint.

Nose

Cocoa with marshmallows. Hint of cinnamon. Toffee and nougat mingle with a malt overlay. Chocolate and stone fruits. Grapefruit pith. Bit of grape Bubble Yum bubble gum. Dregs of a latte.

Palate

The stout casks have left their mark and it works so well with the single malt distillate which quickly yields plums, dates, and Bing cherries. Baking spices. These intermingle with mocha and wafts of chocolate and coffee. The scent of a coffee roaster’s store. Malted milk balls.

The Dregs

It’s nothing like any Scotch single malt I’ve had, and that’s fine.

Of course, I’ve also had blackberry Crown Royal which was nothing like any Scotch single malt. The difference? What is in my glass presently is utterly and solidly good.

One of the intriguing aspects of delving into American single malt is that pre-conceptions about what single malt is or should be are often told to wait by the door. Different regions provide different aging propositions (many Texas age statements are marked with months, for example), different and more broad regulations of American single malt versus Scotch single malt provide distillers with a bit more paint with which to create their artwork.

While not exclusive to American single malt, oftentimes more experimentation is seen in its wares. Here, this expression is aged in premium ex-bourbon barrels for over five years and then finished in Foothills “Sexual Chocolate” chocolate stout barrels. Virginia Distillery Co., collaborated with several brewers to utilise their particular beer/ale/stout casks for their Brewers Coalition series. The stout casks used for this Sexual Chocolate expression came from North Carolina’s Foothills Brewery. The outturn is small, as the expression utilized twelve barrels. The collaboration – between brewery and distillery – is a welcome and unique endeavor to show off some craftsmanship in brewing and distilling. Coloring outside traditional lines, and done (as Stuart speaks of in the Colonials podcasts) so clearly with purpose.

The use of the chocolate stout barrels provides wonderfully deep and rich flavors. If your lane is floral and light (i.e., Glen Moray or Glen Grant) this is not for you. If you are open to something that is rich, different, and has that chocolate stout flavor profile, this is something you should explore.

I am enjoying this bottle. It is different yet it aligns with many of my established favorite single malt profiles. Heft. Depth. Flavor.

Really, I had a hard time leaving this in the 6/10 category as it appears so many expressions fall here, and I think this different profile and different flavor wheel deserves some credit as it stands out, and does so very well. That it is under $50 USD certainly is not to be overlooked – though I don’t factor price into my scores.

A 7/10 states the whisky is “well above average” and has given us real pleasure. A 6/10 on the Dramface scale is “priced fairly, [and] is encouraged as a solid purchase in these heady times.” The whiskey in my glass seems to be above a 6/10, but I can’t say it feels on the Ogilvie how-does-my-gut-feel-about-this score system that it reaches a 7/10. Almost there . . . a very high 6/10 then.

If you can find this, give it a try. It is unique, rich, and full of flavor. When you try it, uncouple your expectations from Scotch single malts. Comparing it to a Springbank, Arndamurchan, or Highland Park is like comparing apples to mangoes. Both are great and from the same basic proposition, but not at all alike. This bottle is a good follow up from the Virginia Distillery Co.’s port, cider cask, and Courage & Conviction expressions.

As I raise this dram in a toast, I look at the tattoo on my arm holding the glass and I reflect on my parents, my Dramface brother, and the full spectrum of parenting. To my parents, thank you for your love, support, and tolerance and guidance when I needed a re-direction. To my Dramface brother, I wish the challenges will pass quickly and there will be a time when that vexatious teenage son will unabashedly give his father an unexpected hug. And I reflect on the last quarter century and more of parenting and am amazed that not all of the hair on my head is grey. Yet.

Slàinte!

Score: 6/10

Tried this? Share your thoughts in the comments below. OS

Dramface is free.
Its fierce independence and community-focused content is funded by that same community. We don’t do ads, sponsorships or paid-for content. If you like what we do you can support us by becoming a Dramface member for the price of a magazine.
However, if you’ve found a particular article valuable, you also have the option to make a direct donation to the writer, here: buy me a dram - you’d make their day. Thank you.
For more on Dramface and our funding read our about page here.