Introduction I picked up this bottle out of sheer curiosity. The idea of a stout cask finish on an American single malt caught my interest, especially with the collaboration between Virginia Distilling Co. and Foothills Brewing, who aged their Sexual Chocolate imperial stout in the same casks. I’ve had some good experiences with stout cask finishes in the past — often they add richness without overwhelming the whisky — so I was curious to see how this one held up. Nose On the nose, it leans heavily towards the maltier side. There’s a dense, roasted grain character that reminds me of dark rye bread. Following that are notes of instant coffee granules, baker’s cocoa, and damp oak. There’s a touch of sweetness underneath — maybe a smear of molasses, but it’s muted. The stout influence is noticeable, but it doesn’t dominate. It smells a bit earthy, maybe even vegetal at times, which took me a moment to accept. Overall, the aroma is rich but not overly complex. Palate The first sip reinforced that dark, malty backbone. It comes off a little dry, with bitter espresso and unsweetened dark chocolate leading the way. There’s a nuttiness too — something like walnut skin — and some tobacco leaf. The stout cask brings more texture than sweetness here; this definitely isn’t a dessert dram. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied and a touch oily, but not especially chewy. After a few sips, some hints of dried cherry started to peek through, though they’re subtle. Finish The finish sits in that same roasted, slightly bitter territory. Lingering notes of dark cocoa, burnt sugar, and a faint metallic tang come through. It’s medium in length — not short, but it doesn’t stay with you for ages either. The end note is slightly drying and a bit chalky, which may or may not be to everyone’s taste. Price and Value I paid around $75 for this bottle, which puts it in the mid-range for American single malts, especially ones with a special cask finish. On novelty alone, it justifies the price if you’re into darker, savory profiles. That said, it’s a niche experience. It’s not an everyday sipper, and if you’re hoping for stout sweetness or rounded vanilla notes, you may not find them here. For me, it operates more as an occasional pour when I’m in the mood for something roasty and unusual. Background Virginia Distilling Co. has been steadily gaining attention for its American Single Malts, especially those using different cask finishes. Their Brewers Coalition project pairs them with regional craft breweries to season finishing casks, bringing a local angle to their final products. This particular release collaborated with Foothills Brewing in North Carolina, whose Sexual Chocolate imperial stout is a seasonal beer known for its density and dark flavor profile. The whisky was finished in those stout casks for a few months after initial aging in bourbon barrels. You can read more about their approach on the Virginia Distilling Co. website. Final Notes Would I buy this again? Probably not as a permanent fixture, but I wouldn’t mind sharing a second bottle with a few like-minded whisky drinkers who enjoy darker flavors. Is it one I’d recommend to a newcomer? Only if they already enjoy strong stout beers or more bitter spirits. For a more balanced introduction to American single malts, I’d look elsewhere. It feels like a good whisky for late winter evenings, maybe paired with dark chocolate or even a stout beer for comparison. Compared to other American single malts I’ve tried, this one is more divisive — less about elegance, more about indulgent roastiness. It’s a whisky that knows what it is, even if it’s not for everyone.