Commonwealth Whiskey Alliance

Whiskey enthusiasts, and friends, who pick our own barrels. More than 50 picks since 2021, and every spare dollar goes to charity.

Who we are

The Commonwealth Whiskey Alliance started with a group of guys who kept running into each other at tastings, whiskey events, and online. In December 2019 we met up for a blind tasting of barrel proof whiskeys from eight distilleries. During that tasting, the talk turned to picking our own barrel, and the ball started rolling.

Covid slowed us down, but in March 2021 we made our first pick at Wilderness Trail. Then we picked another, and another. We've now selected more than 50 single barrels, tasting samples straight from the cask and choosing the one we want bottled for the group.

We pick on nose, palate, and finish alone. We try not to learn a barrel's exact age, proof, or other details until we've chosen, so the stats don't sway us.

We're based in Northern Virginia and draw members from around the DMV. We don't ship bottles, so everything is picked up locally.

None of us takes any money from the club. What's left over goes to charity, and so far that's more than $12,000.

Founded
2020
Home
Northern Virginia (DMV)
Barrels picked
50+
Meets
When we can, and always on Derby Day
Distilleries
14 and counting
How we pick
Nose, palate, and finish. Stats come after.
Given to charity
$12,505
Ages
21 and over
50+Single barrels picked since 2021See our picks → $12,505Given to 12 charitiesSee where it went → 1 · 2 · 3Bottles per barrel for membersHow membership works →

Gatherings

Meetups when we can

Everyone has family, work, and other commitments, so we don't keep a fixed schedule. We get together when it works, and there's one date we never miss.

  • Sat · May12027

    Kentucky Derby Party

    Our yearly tradition on the first Saturday in May. Bourbon, the race, and the whole group in one place.

    Every year
  • Throughthe yearAs schedules allow

    Tastings and meetups

    Barrel pick samples, bottle shares, and whiskey events around the area. Members can watch the Facebook group for the next one. Photos from our picks and get-togethers go up on our Instagram (21+).

    When we can