Bowman Brothers bourbon has developed a cult-like following among whiskey aficionados. With their limited releases and special editions always in high demand, it can be challenging to know where to start with this acclaimed Virginia distillery.
In this definitive guide, we’ll be ranking the five core bottlings of Bowman Brothers bourbon from Virginia’s Sazerac-owned A. Smith Bowman Distillery. From the highly awarded John J. Bowman single barrel to their small batch blend, you’ll discover which expression best suits your palate.
We’ll explore the flavors and history behind each bourbon, starting with a complete list of Bowman Brothers Bourbons:
- Bowman Brothers Small Batch
- Isaac Bowman Port Barrel Finished
- A. Smith Bowman 10 Year Cask Strength
- John J. Bowman Single Barrel
- Abraham Bowman Special Releases
By the end, you’ll have the knowledge to select your perfect Bowman Brothers bourbon and understand why it stands above other craft distilleries.
Ranking All Five Bowman Brothers Bourbons:
5. Bowman Brothers Small Batch
Bowman Brothers Small Batch is the entry-level bourbon from Bowman Distillery that serves as an accessible and affordable daily sipper. With a mashbill of 75% corn, 15% rye, and 10% malted barley, it brings a balanced flavor profile.
Tasting notes for the small batch include caramel, vanilla, and oak on the nose with flavors of butterscotch, honey, and cinnamon spice on the palate. The finish is smooth and mellow with a hint of peppery rye.
While not an overly complex pour, Bowman Brothers Small Batch has earned solid reviews from bourbon critics and enthusiasts alike. It received a score of 88 from The Bourbon Review and was awarded a Double Gold medal at the New York World Wine & Spirits Competition in 2019. For an easy-drinking, crowd-pleasing bourbon under $30, Bowman Brothers Small Batch is tough to beat.
4. Isaac Bowman Port Barrel Finished
The Isaac Bowman Port Barrel Finished has an MSRP of $49.99 and is bottled at 90 proof. The mashbill for this bourbon is believed to be around 75% corn, 15% rye, and 10% malted barley.
This expression starts off as Bowman Brothers Small Batch bourbon before being finished in port wine barrels. The port barrel finishing gives this bourbon rich flavors of raisins, dark cherries, and cocoa. It also adds a beautiful ruby color to the whiskey.
On the palate, you’ll taste sweet caramel, vanilla, and oak from the bourbon along with jammy fruit flavors from the port barrels. It has a velvety and lush mouthfeel. The finish is long with lingering notes of dried fruit and spice. This is an excellent sipping bourbon that also makes a great Old Fashioned or Manhattan cocktail.
3. A Smith Bowman 10 Year Cask Strength
This cask strength bourbon has an MSRP of $99.99 and clocks in at a monstrous 144+ proof. As a cask strength bourbon, it is bottled directly from the barrel at the proof it reached during aging, without any dilution with water. This allows for a more intense, undiluted flavor.
Tasting notes reveal dark dried fruits, leather, baking spices like cinnamon, and oak on the nose. The higher alcohol delivers a warmth and slight burn, while the palate offers rich flavors of vanilla, caramel, toasted oak, and peppery rye spice. The finish is long with a nice balance of sweet and spicy. While hot for some, this bourbon rewards patient sipping with complex flavors and a robust mouthfeel.
2. John J Bowman Single Barrel
John J. Bowman Single Barrel is a hot commodity these days, and turning into one of the most sought-after expressions in the Bowman Brothers collection. With an MSRP of $50-60 and bottled at 100 proof, this bourbon contains Virginia wheat, corn, malted barley, and rye in the mashbill. It is aged for around 9-10 years in charred American oak barrels.
On the palate, John J Bowman Single Barrel offers complex flavors of caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, citrus, and pepper. The higher amount of rye adds a spicy kick that sets it apart and makes it clearly the boldest and most full-flavored of the Bowman portfolio. It has a long finish with oak and char notes. For many aficionados, it represents an ideal combination of robust and refined flavors at a reasonable price point – when they can find it.
1. Abraham Bowman Special Releases
Abraham Bowman has put out some highly regarded limited releases over the years that showcase their excellent distilling and barrel selection skills. They’ve experimented with different mashbills and aging techniques to create complex and nuanced bourbons.
Each of these special releases flies off the shelf, so if you see one, be sure to snatch it up. You can read about some of the historical Abraham Bowman special releases here.
Bowman Brothers Today
Bowman Brothers is owned by Sazerac Company, making it a sister brand of Buffalo Trace Distillery. This relationship allows Bowman Brothers access to some of Buffalo Trace’s iconic mash bills and experimental processes.
Bowman Brothers is known for its innovative spirit and small batch experimentation. The distillery releases several special edition and experimental bourbons every year. Some of their most acclaimed limited releases include wheat bourbon, high rye bourbons, a rum cask finished bourbon, and various double barrel expressions.
The craftsmanship of Bowman Brothers has earned them numerous awards and accolades over the years. Their Abraham Bowman series has won multiple “Best American Whiskey” awards at the World Whiskies Awards. The Bowman Brothers Small Batch also earned Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Bowman Brothers continues to push boundaries and evolve in new directions thanks to the creative freedom afforded by the relationship with Buffalo Trace. Bourbon enthusiasts eagerly await each new limited release to see what the Bowman Brothers team has dreamed up next. The awards and critical acclaim speak to the superlative quality Bowman Brothers delivers release after release.
FAQ
Where is Bowman Brothers distilled?
Bowman Brothers sources their distillate from Buffalo Trace in Frankfort, Kentucky, but they provide the finishing touches (including adding a few extra distillation steps) in Virginia.
The Bowman family sold their distillery to Buffalo Trace in 2003, but Buffalo Trace kept the Bowman Brothers brand name and contracted the Bowman family to continue making the bourbon.
The Bowman family originally produced their bourbon in Reston, Viginia. But since then, they have expanded and moved production up the road to Spotsylvania Country, Virginia. So while Bowman is not made at the original distillery anymore or owned directly by the Bowman family, they have maintained the same family recipe and process.
How to find rare bottlings like John J Bowman?
These days, John J Bowman Single Barrel is very hard to find due to its scarcity. It’s beginning to become regularly allocated by liquor stores, meaning you have to ask the store when they expect to receive a shipment so you can purchase it right away before they sell out.
Following liquor stores on social media can provide release updates as well. You may also get lucky finding a bottle at the distillery gift shop when you visit Buffalo Trace in Frankfort. Secondary markets are always an option too but expect to pay above retail. Joining whiskey enthusiast forums and Facebook groups in your area can help locate bottles too.
If it’s any consolation, you can always try your luck in the lottery process. Several times a year, Bowman Distillery conducts drawings for some of their more scarce bottles (they recently did a drawing for A Smith Bowman Cask Strength). If you win, you will have to drive up to Virginia to claim your bottle.
Difference between Bowman Brothers lines?
The main differences:
- – Bowman Brothers Small Batch – This is their standard bourbon, aged around 5-6 years. Affordable and easy to find. A good daily drinker.
- – Isaac Bowman Port Barrel Finished – The Small Batch finished for an additional 6 months in port wine barrels, adding fruitiness.
- – John J Bowman Single Barrel – Highest age around 10 years, bottled at barrel proof. More refined, complex flavor since it’s single barrel. Very limited availability.
- – A Smith Bowman – Made at the original Bowman Distillery that Buffalo Trace bought. Not as aged as the John J.
- – Abraham Bowman Special Releases – Experimental limited editions exploring different mash bills, barrel finishes, etc. Very rare and allocated.
The John J is considered Bowman’s premium bourbon, while Small Batch is the starter. The others offer interesting spins.
Should You Buy Bowman Brothers?
Bowman Brothers produces high quality, innovative bourbons that deserve their reputation as some of the best on the market today. This ranking highlighted the five core expressions in their lineup, focusing on flavor profiles and overall enjoyment.
The Abraham Bowman series demonstrated remarkable creativity through its special releases over the years, exploring different mashbills and barrel finishes. John J Bowman earned the number two spot for its bold, complex flavor backed by its scarcity and collectability. A Smith Bowman’s cask strength offering exemplified the distillery’s willingness to experiment with higher proofs. Isaac Bowman’s port barrel finish added a unique sweetness. And Bowman Brothers Small Batch cemented itself as an easy-drinking crowd pleaser.
Across the board, each bourbon emphasized Bowman’s commitment to premium ingredients and quality production. Their ongoing partnerships with Buffalo Trace and Sazerac allow access to excellent stocks for distilling and aging. And the results speak for themselves – rich, nuanced flavors in every bottle. For bourbon fans interested in trying something outside the mainstream, Bowman Brothers continuously delivers. Their innovations move the entire category forward. And that’s reason enough to keep a close eye on this distillery for whatever they have in store next.
Leave a Reply