Bowmans Port Barrel, winner of 2016 World's Best Bourbon award, pushes the boundaries of what we expect bourbon to be.
I remember being at a whisky tasting run by a whisky hero of mine (who will remain nameless). We were discussing scotch, but I asked him his opinion on bourbon: can a bourbon be made from European white oak or only American? His answer at the time was no (I disagree). The conversation continued onto what can and can't be done with bourbon; can it be aged in other types of barrels for example? His answer, absolutely not. Little did he know he had fallen into my trap as I immediately produced a photo of this: Isaac Bowman Port Barrel Finished Bourbon, a delightful bourbon finished in port barrels.
A. Smith Bowman is based in Virginia where a lot of exciting new distilleries have started popping up. Bowman claims a family heritage back to 1934, the day after the end of prohibition in the USA, where for decades A. Smith Bowman was the only (legal) producer of Virginia Whisky. Since 2003 however the distillery has been owned by Sazerac.
While the allure of the Appalachian Mountains providing fresh water should be enough to attract most budding distilleries, the majority of these new craft stills are appearing in the local towns and cities. Here they can provide a better service, be closer to their customers and probably profit from offering tours to visiting tourists. Bowman has done something similar by moving from their origin, a farm in Fairfax County, to the city of Fredericksburg.
In the past, Bowman distilled their spirits. Nowadays their process is started by contracting out the production of the original mash and distillation of their White Dog to Buffalo Trace. Once Bowman receive the spirit, they redistill it before ageing. This doesn't stop their bourbon from being hugely sought after and has won numerous awards.
The first thing you smell and taste with Isaac Bowmans is that sweet caramel and vanilla flavour. Maybe it's just me, but it instantly brings me back to Eagle Rare. Afterwards, the flavour builds up into some robust fruity and spicey flavours, precisely what you want from a great bourbon. Finally, the finish is short, but sweet, leaving you wanting more with rich, fruity and jammy (almost marmalade-like) flavours. Isaac Bowman perpetually leaves you wanting another sip.
If you like Bowmans: Port Barrel, you might also like:
Bowman Brothers, Virginia Straight Bourbon
Eagle Rare by Buffalo Trace
Maison De Cuivre by Reservoir Distillery
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