John J Bowman Single Barrel Bourbon

Nose - from the depths of an abyss… this spirit is dark! Leather, deep oak, dark fruits of plums and black berry jam. Really enjoying these dark tones that are bold and upfront. The alcohol presence is undetectable. There is a slight “funk” to it as it opens up but I cannot pinpoint what flavor profile that is. Taste - wow that wasn’t what I was expecting coming off the nose… a dump truck of vanilla mixed with berries. Some major nostalgia coming through here… my grandma used to always buy a particular brand of Christmas cookies for us when we were growing up … and for the first time in 15-20 years I’m experiencing that flavor profile again. Overall - this offering is very good. I view the plate experience as a “U” the from the of the palate starts off strong, mid palate is soft, then the back of the palate and through the finish is great. Medium- Long finish. 4.35

NEAT NOSE - Warm apple pie with caramel drizzle and a sprinkle of cinnamon. The oak is present but subtle. PALATE - Fantastic mouthfeel. Very light on the tongue, yet rich and oily. The primary taste here is caramel and light brown sugar. I wish there was more apple and cinnamon, but it's still good. FINISH - Unfortunately, brief. RECOMMENDATION TO BUY? - Definitely. I would be keen to acquire more bottles to assess their consistency and see if the apple and cinnamon notes from the nose are more prominent in other barrels. PURCHASE AGAIN? - Absolutely, especially at the suggested retail price. However, I would not spend above retail for it, just my opinion.

Appearance: Deep maple. Aroma: Chocolate fudge and warm spiced cider blend with a lighter dessert note, like crème brûlée or vanilla ice cream. Taste: Leather notes emerge with hints of mint and tobacco. It doesn't quite match the richness of the aroma, but it's pleasantly herbaceous. Finish: Slightly muted, but pleasantly warm with cinnamon and barrel characteristics. With Water: A more pronounced vanilla aroma emerges, along with fragrant wood shavings. The taste becomes a bit sweeter but retains a leafy, spicy core. The finish actually improves with water, extending slightly.

This bourbon offers an exceptionally smooth, velvety texture. While different batches may present unique flavor profiles to various palates, the superb feel of this whiskey in the mouth is undeniable. It provides a complete coating sensation. I detected vanilla, cherry, molasses, and oak, but the luxurious mouthfeel truly stands out as exceptional. It's absolutely worth the $50 price tag and a significant improvement over the standard small batch. Even if forced to acquire it on the secondary market at inflated prices, I would still consider $80 a reasonable cost for a bottle.

Nose: Wood, vanilla, caramel Palate: Spice, cinnamon, and corn that quickly gives way to sweet vanilla frosting midway. Finish: A medium finish with a lingering heat from that 100 proof. Lots of comparisons to another single barrel bourbon in the same distillery family A. Smith Bowman belongs to. I don't think the two compare- they are both fine sippers on their own accord. This one brings sweetness but has a good amount of spice as well.

A really good bottle. It's interesting that this one is somewhat hard to find, usually costing around $100, yet it receives low scores. This makes a great, dependable bourbon to keep stocked. The flavors are very straightforward. It's more akin to Eagle Rare than Blanton's, but it's definitely a simple, enjoyable sip that echoes Buffalo Trace's style. I prefer lower proof spirits, so this suits me well. If you can locate a small batch store selection, you'll find a fantastic 90-proof gem.