In all honesty, this purchase was on a whim and credit should be given to the WhiskeyTubers and The Bourbon Judge. Both enjoyed today’s review and compared this to as enjoyable if not better than Buffalo Trace’s Blanton’s Single Barrel. Coming from the A. Smith Bowman Distillery, but now owned by Sazerac Company Inc., it is rumored that the new make for this bottle comes from the Buffalo Trace and is their number one or two mashbill. Today’s review is of John J. Bowman Single Barrel.

From the A. Smith Bowman Distillery website: Our John. J. Bowman Bourbon commemorates the great, great uncle of Abram S. Bowman, who founded A. Smith Bowman Distillery. We hand select some of the oldest barrels in the warehouse to produce a single barrel bourbon with hints of toffee, leather, figs, and almonds. John. J. Bowman was awarded World’s Best Bourbon in 2017.

Now for those in Colorado reading this, please do not get your hopes up as it is still rarely available in our area. I have unfortunately only found two of these single barrel bottles and one bottle of their small batch in NoCo over the past two years. Overall, this was an excellent bottle of bourbon whiskey that could most definitely be compared to Buffalo Trace products like Blanton’s or E.H. Taylor Small Batch. Bosting a non-traditional nose, probably from the unique cooper still, but your very traditional bourbon flavors, this is an excellent daily or weekly sipper. If you can find one of these bottles at or very near MSRP, I would recommend purchasing it to at the minimum compare with your Buffalo Trace products on the shelf. With that said, let’s get our taste on!

• Nose: Vanilla, Brown Sugar, Bread Dough, Dried Red Apple, and a Bit of Ethanol (With a bit of water, the ethanol dissipates and this becomes super sweet!)
• Palate: Vanilla, Brown Sugar, Oak, Dark Dried Fruits (Red Apples/Cranberry) and Baking Spice
• Finish: Medium with Sweet Vanilla Notes, Oak, and Spices
• 2023 MSRP: $49
• 2023 National Average: $69
• Proof: 100 Proof
• My Rating: Mix It/Drink It! (I agree that this could be a great substitute for Blanton’s or even E.H Taylor Small Batch if more available in your area)

Please remember, drinking bourbon is a personal adventure, so do not be afraid to drink it neat, with ice, or add some water. It’s your bourbon, you bought it, and you should enjoy it how you want to enjoy it!

Cheers! Prost! Sláinte!

Bourbon Bossman