A Virginia distillers and Wisconsin brewery collaboration that pairs creamy stout-inspired malt with a surprising late punch of white pepper and dark fruit.
Part of the Bourbon Bishop Virginia Craft Whiskey Starter Trail
This distillery is featured on my Bourbon Bishop Virginia Craft Whiskey Starter Trail in the Virginia Spirits Trail app, a curated way to explore some of the Commonwealth’s craft distilleries.
Stats
- Type: Finished American Single Malt
- Age: 5 years
- Proof: 100 (50% ABV)
- Mashbills: 100% Malted Barley
- Origin: Virginia Distillery Company — Lovingston, Virginia
- Finish: Central Waters “Black Gold” Stout from Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Blend Size: 12 barrels
- Release: Limited release
- MSRP: $54.99 / 750 mL (via Virginia Distilling Co.)
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Bitter dark chocolate tart leads the way, backed by chocolate malt, tropical fruit and honey. There’s a pleasant dessert-like quality, though the nose doesn’t fully prepare you for the intensity waiting on the palate and finish.
- Palate: A creamy chocolate malt foundation gives way to anise, apricot jam and honey. The fruit adds welcome depth to the malt, although flashes of grain-forward youth keep the whiskey from feeling completely polished.
- Finish: A big white pepper punch arrives late, accompanied by sourdough bread, dark fruits and apricot. Earthy, bitter chocolate continues underneath, with an impressive linger (considering the proof) that makes the finish the standout of the experience.
The Virginia Distillers Coalition’s brewer collaborations are an opportunity to explore what happens when American single malt meets distinctive beers from craft breweries. This release pairs the Coalition’s whiskey with Central Waters Black Gold stout, bringing together creamy chocolate malt, dark fruit and an unexpected burst of white pepper.
At 100 proof, with an age statement of 5+ years and a $54.99 price tag, this is a compelling pour that offers more complexity than its nose initially suggests. There are a few reminders of youthful grain along the way, but the transition from creamy malt and fruit to a bold, lingering finish makes this one worth exploring.
Presentation
The black-and-gold label is a natural fit for the Black Gold name, and the VDC Brewers Coalition series does a good job of making each release visually distinctive.
The artwork is eye-catching without losing the connection to the beer that inspired the collaboration
Distinctiveness
The combination of creamy chocolate malt, apricot and honey isn’t especially surprising for a stout-finished whiskey, but the late-arriving white pepper and dark-fruit finish makes this one stand apart.
The finish has an almost single-barrel-like intensity that feels unexpected at 100 proof.
“…the transition from creamy malt and fruit to a bold, lingering finish makes this one worth exploring.”
Transparency
VDC deserves credit for clearly identifying Central Waters and the specific beer used in the collaboration along with blend barrel size (12).
The main missing details are the exact finishing duration and a more precise age breakdown beyond the 5+ year designation (i.e. size of blend, age range, etc.).
Value
At $54.99, this is a solid value for a whiskey aged at least five years with an interesting finishing component and a complex flavor progression.
Its age and finishing approach make a good case for the price, even if some youthful grain notes remain.
Buy if:
- You enjoy chocolate malt and dark-fruit whiskey profiles.
- You like a finish with bold white pepper and lingering spice.
- You want to explore American single malt beyond traditional bourbon flavors.
- You appreciate craft brewery collaborations with a distinctive flavor payoff.
Skip if:
- You prefer a soft, consistent flavor progression from nose to finish.
- Youthful, grain-forward notes are a dealbreaker.
- You want a stout finish that delivers chocolate intensity from the first sniff to the last sip.
- You prefer a more detailed account of the whiskey’s finishing duration and age composition.
Verdict
Central Waters Black Gold Stout Cask Finished American Single Malt is a reminder that the best part of a whiskey doesn’t always reveal itself on the nose. The opening is pleasant but relatively restrained, with chocolate malt, honey and tropical fruit. The palate adds creamy texture and apricot, but it’s the finish that elevates the experience, delivering a substantial wave of white pepper, dark fruit and earthy chocolate.
There are moments when the whiskey’s youth shows through, particularly in its grain-forward character, and the nose could be more expressive. Still, the overall complexity is impressive for a 100-proof pour, and the interplay between the dessert-like malt and the spicy, fruit-heavy finish gives it a personality of its own. At $54.99, this is an easy bottle to recommend to curious American single malt drinkers and fans of thoughtful beer-finished whiskey.
Bourbon Bishop Bottom Line:
Creamy chocolate malt, apricot and honey give way to a surprisingly powerful white pepper and dark-fruit finish.
For those who prefer numbers, here’s the full score breakdown:
- Nose: 3.75 / 7
- Palate: 4.5 / 7
- Finish: 5 / 7
- Presentation: 5.25 / 7
- Distinctiveness: 4.75 / 7
- Transparency: 6 / 7
- Value: 5 / 7
Bourbon Bishop Rating: 4.89 / 7 – Angelic
Good to great. Often high value for the price.
| Score | Descriptor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1 | Hell No | Drain pour. Seriously undrinkable. |
| 1.1–2 | Purgatory | Bad, but could be worse. Only in extreme cases. |
| 2.1–3 | Only Earthly | Just okay. Best used as a mixer. |
| 3.1–4 | Bliss | Passable to Good sipper. Works well in cocktails. |
| 4.1–5 | Angelic | Good to great. Often high value for the price. |
| 5.1–6 | Divine | Top-shelf. Must-buy for fans of the style. |
| 6.1–7 | Holy Heaven | Out-of-this-world. A true unicorn. |
Disclosure: This bottle was provided to me free of charge for review. All opinions are my own.
About Virginia Distillery Co.
Virginia Distillery Co. is an American Single Malt distillery located in Lovingston, Virginia, founded by George G. Moore with a vision of creating world-class American whisky inspired by the traditions of the Old World while embracing the possibilities of American production. Today, the distillery is operated by George’s wife, Angela, and son, Gareth Moore.
The distillery is best known for Courage & Conviction, its flagship American Single Malt, along with a broader range of American Single Malts featuring cask finishes drawn from both Old and New World traditions. Its work frequently explores the influence of different maturation and finishing casks, making experimentation and innovation central to the Virginia Distillery Co. approach.
Through projects such as The Brewer’s Coalition, Virginia Distillery Co. has expanded that experimentation into collaborations with breweries around the country, using distinctive beer barrels to explore new expressions of American Single Malt while building connections between American whisky and craft brewing.
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