VHW Cider Cask 700ML is a 46% ABV malt whisky from Virginia Distillery Company, finished in Virginia cider casks for a distinctive apple-forward character. This expression earned the #13 spot on Whisky Advocate's Top 20 Whiskies of 2018, a remarkable achievement for a young American distillery competing against global heavyweights.Quick Facts: ABV: 46% (92 Proof) | Origin: Lovingston, Virginia, USA | Cider Cask Finished | Distillery: Virginia Distillery CompanyProduction & HeritageVirginia Distillery Company, located at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Lovingston, Virginia, produces the Virginia Highland Whisky (VHW) series by blending American single malt whisky distilled on-site with aged Scotch malt whisky. Both components use 100% malted barley. What sets the Cider Cask expression apart is its secondary maturation in casks sourced primarily from Virginia cideries, including Potter's Craft Cider and Buskey Cider, with the finishing period lasting between 8 and 20 months. This local collaboration ties the whisky directly to Virginia's thriving craft cider scene and introduces orchard-fruit complexity that oak alone cannot achieve.Tasting NotesAroma: Green apple and ripe pear arrive first, followed by layers of vanilla, toasted pecan, and a faint floral quality. The cider cask influence is immediate but balanced, with the malt backbone holding everything together.Taste: The entry is malty with a pleasant oiliness that coats the palate. Mid-palate, baked apple and cinnamon mingle with honeycomb, butterscotch, and caramelized wood sugars from the oak. A bright acidity inherited from the cider barrels lifts the heavier sweetness, while notes of lemon peel, juicy clementine, poached pear, chamomile, and salt water taffy emerge as the whisky develops. The overall impression is complex and remarkably balanced for such a fruit-driven profile.Finish: Long and oak-driven, with lingering baked apple and a delicate, perfumed savoriness. The cider cask acidity keeps the finish clean rather than cloying, fading slowly into soft vanilla and grain.How to Drink VHW Cider CaskNeat or with a few drops of water is the best starting point — water opens up the more subtle citrus and chamomile notes. A single large ice cube tames the spice without muting the cider cask character. For cocktails, consider a Whisky Highball, where the apple and pear notes pair naturally with sparkling water and a lemon twist; an Autumn Old Fashioned, substituting simple syrup with apple cider syrup to amplify the orchard-fruit theme; or a Brown Derby, where the whisky's bright acidity and honeycomb sweetness complement fresh grapefruit juice and honey.Best For Gifting a whisky enthusiast who values unconventional cask finishes Autumn and holiday gatherings where apple and baking-spice flavors suit the season Introducing Scotch drinkers to American single malt through a familiar malted barley profile Building a cask-finish collection alongside port, sherry, and wine-finished expressions Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does VHW Cider Cask taste like? The dominant profile is baked apple, honeycomb, and vanilla with a bright acidity from the cider barrel finishing. Underneath the fruit, there are malty notes of butterscotch, cinnamon, and toasted pecan that give it depth.How does VHW Cider Cask compare to Tullamore D.E.W. Cider Cask? Tullamore D.E.W. Cider Cask is a triple-distilled Irish blend with a lighter, grain-forward body, while VHW Cider Cask is a 100% malted barley whisky bottled at a higher 46% ABV with greater malt weight and oil. The Virginia expression also uses locally sourced cider barrels and finishes for a longer period (8–20 months), resulting in a more pronounced fruit influence.Is VHW Cider Cask good for sipping neat? Yes — the 46% ABV delivers substantial flavor without excessive heat, and the cider cask finish adds enough fruit complexity to keep each sip interesting on its own.Where is VHW Cider Cask made? It is produced by Virginia Distillery Company in Lovingston, Virginia, at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The American single malt component is distilled on-site, then blended with aged Scotch malt whisky and finished in Virginia cider casks.What foods pair well with VHW Cider Cask? Aged cheddar highlights the whisky's apple and caramel notes; roasted pork loin mirrors its baking-spice character; apple tarte tatin echoes the cider cask influence; smoked trout complements the malty oiliness; and pecan pie amplifies the toasted nut and butterscotch flavors.What sizes does VHW Cider Cask come in? The standard bottle size is 700ml, which is the primary format available for this expression.Is VHW Cider Cask worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium American malt whisky, and the Whisky Advocate Top 20 recognition in 2018 validated its quality against far more established competitors. For drinkers seeking something beyond bourbon or standard Scotch, the cider cask finishing delivers genuine distinctiveness at its price tier.Why VHW Cider Cask?Ranking #13 on Whisky Advocate's Top 20 Whiskies of 2018 placed Virginia Distillery Company alongside distilleries with decades — sometimes centuries — more history. The cider cask finishing, using barrels sourced from Virginia's own Potter's Craft Cider and Buskey Cider, is not a gimmick but a genuine regional collaboration that produces flavors unavailable from conventional wood programs. The 100% malted barley base and 46% ABV bottling strength give the whisky enough backbone to stand up to those assertive fruit and acidity notes. In a category increasingly crowded with cask finishes, VHW Cider Cask remains one of the few expressions where the finishing barrel tells a verifiable local story.
