Isaac Bowman Straight Bourbon Finished in Port Barrels

Rating: 13/23 N: Notes of leather and spice. A little thin, but pleasant. A touch of oloroso oil and subtle blackberry hints alongside mild vanilla. Gentle black pepper. Faint, pleasant corn sweetness. This presents a nice, rich, aged aroma. P: Spicy and peppery with moderate, light caramel, leather, and a bit of oil. Very subtle traces of blackberry and ample vanilla. This is a pleasant, rich aroma with some mature qualities that bring to mind Joseph Magnus. Possibly faint traces of licorice. Abundant vanilla, spices, and leather. Decadent. A touch of clean water minerality, but it's mostly full and rich. F: Vanilla, licorice, sweet water, lingering spices, leather. Perhaps faint light caramel. - Conclusion - I'm genuinely impressed! My initial Bowman encounter was acceptable but not particularly striking. This is truly good. It's akin to budget Joseph Magnus, which is high praise. The leather note is so rich and difficult to find. Belle Meade Cask Strength (19/23) is richer and fuller, with significantly more spices, but lacks the same leather richness and maturity. This is lighter and smoother, yet somehow more indulgent. However, the more I compare them, the more the minerality and lightness of this one become apparent. These aspects stand out even when tasting this alongside Evan Williams 1783 (11/23). In fact, Russell's Reserve 10 (16/23) seems fuller and more mature. I'm enjoying Russell's immensely, but I'm simultaneously captivated by the leather here. I'm sensing this might be a case of a superb port finish applied to a decent bourbon. Concurrently, this seems more mature and intricate than Uncle Nearest 1856 (15/23). This is an intriguing one. It lacks the malty sweetness of Uncle Nearest 1856 and has some more sulfur, but it still holds up well in comparison. I'm certain this surpasses an 11, but I don't believe it reaches a 16, unfortunately. My initial impression was strong, but the more I sample it alongside other drams, the more I notice its shortcomings. There's a considerable amount of sulfur present that I didn't detect at first. It's slightly off-putting, though it doesn't significantly detract initially. As I continue tasting, I become more convinced that even a 15 is a stretch for this. So it falls within the 12 to 14 range. Side-by-side, Highland Park 12 (12/23) (an unusual pairing, but it felt appropriate) is richer and more complex, but carries much more sulfur than this. It's a challenging comparison. Introducing Highland Park 16 Wings Of The Eagle (17/23) into the mix, the sulfur level here isn't extreme. In fact, Wings Of The Eagle has slightly more sulfur, and I don't even perceive it as sulfurous. This lacks the malty, rich sweetness but isn't nearly as sulfurous or peculiar. It's quite clear this doesn't reach a 16, but it doesn't drop to a 12 either. Positioning this one is difficult, but I'm leaning towards a 14. I wanted to award it at least a 15 to equal Uncle Nearest, but I find this to be too generically pleasant without excelling to justify a full 15. A 15 is believable, but it's certainly not a 16. Regrettably, I found this quite enjoyable initially, but it steadily declined, revealing significant flaws that I had to consider. If not for that sulfur, I would appreciate this much more. I believe it warrants a 14. There's much to appreciate here, but it also has its issues. Revisiting this, there's simply a lot of lightness and minerality present. I don't find it vastly superior to Evan Williams Bottled In Bond (11/23), nor do I consider it on par with Russell's Reserve 10. It's either a 13 or 14. I'm leaning towards a 13 due to the disappointing lightness. I truly wish a bolder, sweeter spirit had been finished in the port casks. Many thanks to a friend for this sample. I had a great time trying it:)

The aroma is strong and sweet. It smells stronger than its stated alcohol content. You get a port-like, sweet, and fruity scent with a hint of dustiness from the wheat. On the palate, 'buttery' is the best description. The pleasant, mellow sweetness of port is present throughout, leading to classic bourbon richness and warmth. Rich stone fruit and caramel are in the mid-palate, along with some vanilla and wood notes. Subtle tobacco undertones are also present. Towards the finish, baking spices become prominent, creating a warm and toasty sensation. It's very smooth, which might make it seem one-dimensional at first, but with a few sips, some complexity emerges. I think a bit more alcohol would enhance the complexity, in my view. The sweetness might be excessive for some, but it's an excellent choice for a late-night or after-dinner drink. It pairs well with a cigar and has enough alcohol to stand out. Good balance; I enjoyed it as a departure from my usual choices.

This illustrates how Scotch-centric approaches don't always translate to other whiskies. The aroma is unusual and musty, reminiscent of grape juice left out or a child's stained bib. It's attention-grabbing, but not positively, bordering on unpleasant. The palate is dominated by damp, musty wood throughout, with a heavy, vegetal, earthy flavor obscuring the pleasant plum and honey notes. The finish is indicative of its youth, delivering a harsh, coarse ethanol blast that numbs the lips and tongue before fading to the familiar musty, stale grape flavor. It was an experience, and while not discarded, it won't be revisited.

Noticeable amber tones within a tarnished brass-colored body. Legs are evenly spaced and exhibit average viscosity on the glass. Berries of all types are immediately apparent on the nose; the initial wave consists of ripe raspberries and juicy cherries. A tartness emerges, reminiscent of dried cranberries. A rich, toasty note is also present. Smooth on the palate, with a pleasant warmth, it's lightly sweet but more characterized by caramel and woody flavors. Well-balanced for drinking and offers ample complexity. A moderate finish, with lingering notes that evoke memories of sitting on the floor and eating cinnamon caramels at my grandmother's house.

Nose presents plum and raisins; it lacks a traditional bourbon aroma. Taste delivers caramel and raisin notes. The finish is moderate, with the port influence clearly perceptible. For approximately $40, this is a bottle worth exploring! While not overly intricate, it possesses a distinctive flavor profile. Comparisons to Angel's Envy are understandable; it's highly drinkable and, given the price, a worthy addition for those seeking something unique.

The port finish imparts a fruity character that's on the lighter side – reminiscent of a Pinot Grigio. There's not much oak, but the sweet, corn-forward character of a bourbon is present, though not dominant. I detect a significant amount of brine in this – almost like a Talisker Storm scotch, but with a bourbon foundation. Maybe that's just my perception. It's pleasant. Not particularly complex or challenging. Worth trying, but not something I anticipate reaching for often.