Based in Powhatan, south of the River James near Richmond, this distillery was opened in 2018 and has been gaining a reputation for producing quality local whiskey. It’s been a while since I was last there, but I was treated to a great tour of the adjacent still house in operation. I eventually left with two bottles, the Noble Hound Dark Rye, which quickly became a favorite, and a somewhat neglected bottle of this Coffee Flavored Whiskey. Thought it was time to check the coffee version out more seriously.
Mash bill: Unclear but appears to be based on the distillery standard Three Crosses American Whisky (probably a high rye bourbon style mash bill) and potentially mixed with sourced bourbons.
Batch Size: Small batch, as this is a yearly special limited edition. I believe that this one is the 2021 release but may date back to 2020.
ABV = 40%.
Matured: Single barrel initially and then blended for additional solera style maturation. Total time is 2 to 3.5 years. The product then sits on mulled coffee beans for a week or so. The label has the word ‘Greenberry’s’ handwritten on it, possibly a reference to Greenberry’s Coffee Roasters in Charlottesville as the source of the beans? Latest edition appears to be from Batteaux Roasters in Powhatan.
Cost: $39 / 750ml bottle
Color: Dark, ageing copper look: 1.6 Mahogany (Whisky Magazine scale).
Swirl: Thin but distinct rim with a few thin legs developing quicky followed by some slow-moving broader ones.
Nose: Light with coffee predominant, some dark chocolate and baking cake aromas. Intriguing.
Taste: Light to medium viscosity, immediately sweet but not overbearing, a light-roasted coffee flavor comes through and a gentle warmth. No drama, not at all bitter. Pleasant, if somewhat straightforward.
Finish: Fades away gently leaving a persistent light coffee taste.
Verdict: If you are a fan of coffee like me, you should certainly try this. Laid back, and an ideal dram sitting outside your favorite Paris café, in the mid-afternoon sun, (or staring blankly out of your window at the Virginia rain). The distillery is well worth the trip if you are in the Richmond area.
