Description
This hand-crafted bourbon whiskey is a tribute to the original Bowman brothers from Virginia. John, Abraham, Joseph and Isaac Bowman were Virginia militia officers in the American Revolutionary War.
As brave pioneers, the Bowman family helped settle the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia as well as parts of Kentucky. This hand-crafted bourbon whiskey is a tribute to the original Bowman brothers from Virginia. John, Abraham, Joseph and Isaac Bowman were Virginia militia officers in the American Revolutionary War. In 1779, they led thirty pioneer families to Madison County, Kentucky and established Bowman’s Station. They were legends, admired and respected by fellow settlers for their courage and bravery.
The current A. Smith Bowman Pioneer Spirit Collection embraces three whiskeys, including a small batch bourbon, a single barrel bourbon and a small batch limited edition – each of which is made in tribute to a deceased member or members of the Bowman family clan. The distillery also makes an assortment of other spirits including rum, vodka and gin.
Nose| A welcoming aroma of brown sugar, sweet cinnamon, oak, and a twinge of floral potpourri. A quick swirl of the glass brings forth a bouquet of additional sweet notes of candy apple, peach, and custard. It’s a pleasant nose with a fair amount of complexity that surprised me quite a bit.
Palate| Its oily and thick mouthfeel is immediately noticeable. Vanilla, toffee, roasted nuts, and toasted oak hit with medium intensity. Despite having sweeter flavors, the palate is quite dry overall, and keeps the sweet flavors in check. It’s a little rough around the edges, but has a decent core.
Finish| Quite a bit of spiciness that makes it seem as if someone dropped a jalapeno in my glass. This isn’t a hot finish, but a spicy one. Toasted oak, black pepper, and red pepper flakes dominate. It’s not spicy to the point of clearing your sinuses, but more of a fiery blast with a long fallout. It’s a bit more interesting than it is delicious.
