Extremely Limited, Available Mostly in Virginia

Fredericksburg, VA. (April 30, 2019) – A. Smith Bowman Distillery announces the latest release in its Abraham Bowman line of experimental whiskey, the Abraham Bowman Bourbon Whiskey, Release 18.

This limited release is the result of a failed experiment, which ultimately led to a pleasant surprise. Though the intended experiment did not live up to expectations, the barrels which were set aside to compare against the experiment, known as the control barrels, yielded an exceptional flavor, and an unexpected yet exciting result. The control barrels that make up this release were distilled in the fall of 2004, varied in proof from 143 to 151, and were aged for 14 and a half years in new, charred oak barrels. The final marriage of these barrels came to 146.1 proof. In the end, these barrels produced an outstanding taste, in line with Distillery standards for Abraham Bowman releases, and in an uncut un-chill filtered state, something worth sharing.

The initial experiment had focused on the effects that re-barreling at a low proof would have on the flavor, and how it would compare to standard aging practices. The Distillery took several barrels that had been aged for more than 10 years in a traditional fashion, in new, charred oak barrels, barreled at 125 proof, and then re-barreled them, reduced the whiskey to 80 proof and allowed the barrels to age for an additional three plus years. However, after tasting the resulting barrels at nearly 14 and a half years, the experimental barrels did not meet flavor expectations for an Abraham Bowman offering. These failed experimental barrels will not be included in this Abraham Bowman release. As such, this will be a very limited release.

Master Distiller Brian Prewitt describes this latest expression of Abraham Bowman as “Sweet vanilla and toasted oak on the nose. Cherry and baked apple with the rye spice in the background.” He describes the taste as “Nice sweet flavor, slight nuttiness. The bourbon is soft and well-mannered despite the high proof with a lingering mouthfeel and depth of flavor that rewards the taster long after the initial sip. The flavor just keeps on giving…”

The Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Bourbon Whiskey is part of a series of limited-edition whiskies, named after Abraham Bowman, the commander of the 8^th Virginia Regiment in the American Revolutionary War. Each edition of the Abraham line is a different expression and a new release is offered a few times a year. This is the 18^th release in the Abraham line. The Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Bourbon Whiskey will be available for Virginia residents to purchase through the VA ABC Lottery. Quantities are very limited. The Abraham Bowman series aims to release new and different expressions of innovative whiskey for each release, so it is unlikely this exact bourbon will be repeated. The total age of this bourbon is 14 and a half years and it is bottled at 146.1 proof. These 750 ml bottles have a suggested retail price of $69.99.

About A. Smith Bowman

A. Smith Bowman’s distilling roots date back to the years before Prohibition when the Bowman family had a granary and dairy farm in Sunset Hills, Virginia. They used excess grain from the family estate to distill spirits. In 1934, after the Repeal of Prohibition, Abram Smith Bowman and his sons continued the family tradition and built a more modern distillery in Fairfax County, Virginia called Sunset Hills Farm. The Distillery was moved in 1988 and is now nestled in Spotsylvania County near the city of Fredericksburg, 60 miles away from the original location.

As a small and privately owned company, A. Smith Bowman Distillery continues the time-honored traditions on which it was founded. Considered a micro-distillery by today’s standards, A. Smith Bowman produces an assortment of hand-crafted spirits distilled from only the finest natural ingredients and using the latest technology. This micro-distillery focuses on the production of premium spirits honoring the legacy of Virginia’s first settlers. Its various brands have won more than 100 awards in the past five years, including “World’s Best Bourbon” in 2016 for its Abraham Bowman Port Finished Bourbon and again in 2017 for its John J. Bowman Single Barrel at the World Whisky Awards.