Malt Masters: Charlottesville’s Best Vie for the Title with Whisky Cocktails

It’s Malt Masters — top bartenders competing to create the best cocktail from a malt whisky tribute to Charlottesville. Last month, Virginia Distillery Company, once named the world’s Distillery of the Year, released The Charlottesville 29 Single Barrel, its first-ever single-cask 100% American single malt finished in a port cask. “Crafted from this place, for this place,” the distillery says. The full story is in C-VILLE.

Now, Charlottesville bartenders are vying to make the tastiest creation with it. A panel of judges will award the winner the championship belt and a VIP tour of Virginia Distillery Company.

Below are the entrants. Now through November 1, guests can visit their bars to sample the entries and decide for themselves who should be this year’s Malt Master. Some have already announced their cocktail. Stay tuned for additional updates.

• • Kate Corey, Cafe Frank
    • Appalachian Autumn: VDC29, Albemarle Ciderworks reduction, pecan infused amaro, black walnut bitters, Joyous Gardens dehydrated fig
  • Josh Dickerson, Black Cow Chophouse
    • The Monticello Philosopher: VDC 29, Aperol, local peach butter, house cranberry bitters, fresh citrus
  • Orhun Dikmen, Smyrna
    • Early Harvest: VDC 29 infused with Smyrna olive oil, oregano, and mastic gum; Cocchi di Torino; Cape Corse Mattei; Amaro Montenegro
• • Nycholas Hittinger, The Milkman’s Bar
    • The Virginia Seasons: VDC 29, muddled mint, Paco Rojo, Amaro y Aroyo, soda water
  • Ryan Kaufman, Lampo / Bar Baleno
    • Domo Arigato Mr. Ramato: VDC 29, house Amaro blend, bitters
  • Erek Lane, Oakhart Social
    • There Can Only Be One: VDC 29, Drambuie, Nochino, lemon bitters, blackstrap bitters, honey, Dona Antonia port rinse
  • Micah LeMon, The Alley Light
    • Grandpa’s Banana Bread: VDC 29, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, Malort, Tempus Fugit Creme de Banane
  • John Lindsey, Public Fish & Oyster
    • Last Exit: VDC 29, fig-pineapple cordial, Ramazzotti, lemon
  • Harvey Mayorga, Guajiros Miami Eatery
    • Virginia Sour: VDC 29, egg white, lemon juice, demerara syrup, Ancho Reyes, Shirts & Skins Petit Verdot Float
      (available after 3 pm)
  • Amanda Wood, Tavola
    • Golden Hour: VDC 29, Vecchio Amaro del Capo, Orchard pear liqueur, butter pecan brown sugar syrup, lemon, angostura bitters