Pour, Stir, Savor: Two Whisky Cocktail Recipes to Try

There are whiskies made for collecting—and then there are whiskies made for sharing.

With three new limited releases from Virginia Distillery Co., now feels like the right time to gather a few friends, clear the kitchen counter, and let American Single Malt take center stage.

While these expressions are beautiful neat, their layered flavor profiles also lend themselves to thoughtful, spirit-forward cocktails—drinks that don’t mask the whisky, but elevate it.

The Blue Ridge Black Forest

A dessert-leaning cocktail inspired by the stout cask finishes

These whiskies already lean into dark chocolate, roasted nuts, and berry notes. This cocktail amplifies that richness without becoming overly sweet.

Ingredients

• 2 oz stout cask-finished American Single Malt

• ½ oz crème de cacao (dark)

• ½ oz cherry liqueur (or high-quality cherry syrup)

• 2 dashes chocolate bitters

• Optional: Luxardo cherry for garnish

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice.

2. Stir until well chilled (about 20–30 seconds).

3. Strain into a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass.

4. Garnish with a single cherry or a light shave of dark chocolate.

Why it works:
The whisky’s natural cocoa and raspberry notes shine through, while the bitters keep everything structured. It feels like Black Forest cake—but grown up. Perfect for a late-winter dinner party or an after-dinner pour by the fire.

The Nelson County Nightcap

A contemplative, cigar-worthy sipper

The Cigar Blend is layered—leather, walnut, candied citrus, subtle smoke—so this cocktail keeps things simple and structured.

Ingredients

• 2 oz First Cut Cigar Blend

• ¼ oz rich demerara syrup (2:1 sugar to water)

• 2 dashes Angostura bitters

• 1 dash orange bitters

• Expressed orange peel

Instructions

1. Add syrup and bitters to a mixing glass.

2. Add whisky and ice; stir until chilled.

3. Strain over a large ice cube in a rocks glass.

4. Express orange peel over the drink and drop it in.

Optional: Lightly smoke the glass beforehand for added depth.

Why it works:
The demerara syrup enhances the whisky’s date cake and walnut notes, while the orange oils highlight its candied lemon peel character. The result is structured, warm, and quietly powerful.

Whether paired with a cigar or simply enjoyed on a porch at dusk, it invites you to slow down.

A Note on Mixing Limited Releases

When working with small-batch whiskies, the goal isn’t to bury complexity under citrus and sugar. Instead:

• Lean spirit-forward.

• Keep ingredients minimal.

• Let the whisky remain the star.

If you’re lucky enough to secure a bottle this season, try it neat first. Notice what unfolds. Then experiment.

Because the beauty of American Single Malt—especially when it’s made in the foothills of the Blue Ridge—is that it rewards attention.

And the best cocktails? They do the same.

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