Virginia isn't the first state that springs to mind when you think bourbon, and that's exactly why Reservoir Hunter & Scott caught my attention. We tend to default to Kentucky and Tennessee when the conversation turns to American whiskey, but the legal reality is straightforward — bourbon can be made anywhere in the United States, provided it meets the federal standards of identity. At least 51% corn mashbill, distilled to no more than 160 proof, entered into new charred oak at no higher than 125 proof, and bottled at a minimum of 80 proof. Reservoir Hunter & Scott ticks every box, and it does so from Richmond, Virginia.
What makes this bottle interesting to me is the regional angle. Virginia's climate runs hot and humid in summer, which means the whiskey inside those new charred oak barrels is going through aggressive seasonal temperature swings. If you've ever wondered why warehouse placement matters, this is a good example — in climates like Virginia's, the interaction between spirit and wood can be intense. You get extraction happening fast, which is partly why a NAS bourbon from a smaller operation can still deliver genuine depth and character. The 45% ABV sits right in that sweet spot where you're getting enough proof to carry flavour without burning through it.
Tasting Notes
I don't have detailed tasting notes to break down here, but based on the style — a Virginia-made bourbon bottled at 45% — you should expect the classic bourbon profile done with a regional twist. Think corn sweetness as your foundation, with the new charred oak contributing vanilla and caramel. Virginia's warmer maturation conditions tend to push the wood influence forward, so expect a bit more barrel character than you might find in a similarly aged Kentucky bourbon. The proof is approachable enough for neat sipping without needing water, but robust enough to stand up in a cocktail.
The Verdict
At £61.50, Reservoir Hunter & Scott sits in competitive territory. You're paying a modest premium over the big Kentucky names, but what you're getting is something genuinely different — a bourbon with a sense of place that isn't just marketing copy. The craft distilling movement in Virginia has been building quietly for years, and bottles like this are the payoff. I'm giving it an 8 out of 10 because it represents exactly what I want from a regional bourbon: it respects the category, it has its own identity, and it drinks well. This isn't a novelty purchase. It's a serious bourbon that happens to come from a state most people overlook.
For anyone building out their bourbon shelf beyond the usual suspects, this is a smart addition. It gives you a genuine talking point at tastings, and more importantly, it backs up that talking point with quality in the glass. I'd buy another bottle without hesitation.
Best Served
Pour this one into an Old Fashioned. The corn sweetness and oak character from a Virginia bourbon like this pair brilliantly with a good demerara sugar cube, two dashes of Angostura bitters, and a wide orange peel expressed over the top. The 45% ABV means it won't get lost under the sugar and bitters — it'll hold its own and actually benefit from that slight dilution as the ice opens it up. If you prefer it neat, give it five minutes in the glass before your first sip. Let it breathe. You'll be rewarded for the patience.
