Virginia Distillery Co., the family-owned American single malt whisky distillery, has announced the UK launch of its Blue Ridge Toasted Barrel Finish expression (RRP £50.95) – a 100% malted barley whisky developed specifically with bourbon drinkers in mind and the only expression in the VDC range to use new oak.
Named Best American Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2026, it was developed by Amanda Beckwith, Lead Blender and Director of Liquid Development. The expression starts in first-fill bourbon barrels sourced from premium Kentucky distilleries before being finished in virgin toasted oak barrels from the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The cask programme was shaped in part by the late Dr Jim Swan. Often referred to as the ‘Einstein of Whisky’, Swan joined the distillery as a consultant and focused its approach around adapting traditional Scottish whisky-making processes to Virginia’s subtropical climate. Wide seasonal temperature swings and high humidity drive intense interaction between spirit and cask, accelerating maturation in ways Scotland’s cooler, steadier conditions don’t replicate. The result is a whisky distinctly Virginian in character, while remaining recognisably single malt.
The same care carries through to reduction: water is added gradually over weeks or even months, allowing the spirit to hold its structure ahead of bottling.
“Barley is an incredibly delicate grain, and we wanted to respect that,” says Amanda Beckwith, lead blender and director of liquid development. “Finishing in toasted rather than heavily charred casks lets the spirit stay true to itself – you still get that warmth and familiarity a bourbon drinker will recognise, but without overpowering the intricacy that the grain brings to the glass”.
Adrian Lugg, head of marketing at Maverick, said: “Winning Best American Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards is an incredible accolade and we can’t wait to introduce Blue Ridge Toasted Barrel to UK drinkers. Both on and off-trade have been really receptive to the American single malt category since it launched here – there’s a lot of interest in it as a new category, particularly given its clear influences from Scotch. The cask finishing that defines the Virginia Distillery Co.’s flavour profile also makes it a fantastic option for cocktails.”
Blue Ridge Toasted Barrel is bottled at 46.5% ABV, non-chill filtered and natural colour. RRP: £50.95. The expression follows Virginia Distillery Co.’s UK launch in December 2025, when the distillery partnered with Maverick as exclusive importer and distributor of both the Virginia Distillery Co. and Courage & Conviction range
Virginia Distillery Co. is available to the on and off trade via Maverick and to buy via Master of Malt.
