Sips & Sites & Bites

If you’ve been following Virginia Distillery Co.’s Brewer’s Coalition series, you know they’ve been steadily carving out a niche where American Single Malt meets the best of the craft beer world. Their latest release? A flavorful collaboration with Kansas City’s Boulevard Brewing Co., and trust us — it’s a pour worth savoring.

The star of the show is the Boulevard Brewing Co. Proper Pour Stout Cask Finish, an American Single Malt whisky that spent its final months resting in barrels previously used for Boulevard’s Double-Barreled Imperial Stout … itself a complex brew aged first in bourbon barrels, then in French oak cabernet casks. That kind of barrel pedigree doesn’t come along every day, and the results are just as intriguing as you’d hope.

On the nose, this whisky leans into dessert territory … think blackberry cobbler, a dash of cherry jubilee, and a subtle swirl of Madagascar vanilla. It’s rich without being cloying, and there’s a depth to it that keeps drawing you back for another sip. The palate delivers on the promise of the aroma, layering in dark plums, cocoa, and warm baking spices. At 100 proof (50% ABV), it’s got a nice backbone too … not too hot, but just enough to remind you it’s here to make an impression.

The whisky walks an interesting line: there’s the malty foundation you’d expect from Virginia Distillery Co., but those stout cask influences bring in a round, roasty quality that sets this one apart. It’s not your everyday dram, it’s more like the kind you pour when you want to taste something deliberate, something that tells a story.

According to Gareth Moore, CEO of Virginia Distillery Co., the partnership is all about pushing boundaries, and this release definitely reflects that ethos. Boulevard Brewing’s Proper Pour Stout brings its own complexity, and the resulting whisky is a great example of how collaborative barrel-aging can offer something new without feeling gimmicky.

This is a whisky for folks who like the overlap of beer and spirits … the connoisseurs who’ve found themselves lingering over a good imperial stout and wondering how those flavors might live on in a dram. It’s nuanced, creative, and just indulgent enough.

Available in limited quantities online and at select retailers, the Proper Pour Stout Cask Finish is a strong addition to the Brewer’s Coalition lineup. And a reminder that the Virginia Distillery Co. isn’t afraid to play with flavor, tradition, and fermentation in the best possible way.