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We’ve lengthy been impressed with the bourbons rolling out of Virginia’s A. Smith Bowman distillery. Whereas new, hyper-rare restricted version releases beneath the Abraham Bowman label come round roughly every year, there hasn’t been any change to the lineup of their core portfolio because the addition of Port Finish in 2017. Now the distillery is increasing its choices once more with the everlasting addition of A. Smith Bowman Cask Energy Bourbon, an annual launch aged for at least ten years and bottled uncut and unfiltered.
For the inaugural Cask Energy launch, Bowman is popping out weapons blazing with one of many highest proof choices I’ve ever seen. Bourbon nerds dub a whiskey this excessive proof “hazmat” since any alcohol content material over 70% means it’s technically flammable. Airways received’t allow you to fly with it. Regardless of these obvious hazards, bourbon followers can’t get sufficient of these things, so Bowman is certainly tugging at their coronary heart strings with this one. In line with Grasp Distiller Brian Prewitt, this bourbon is a mix of barrels that truly got here from the decrease tiers of Warehouses A1 and A. I can’t think about what sort of proof you’d discover in barrels from the excessive flooring! Anyway, Bowman was good sufficient to ship us a pattern. After checking the workplace for any open flames, I felt I used to be able to crack into this one. Right here goes!
On the nostril, this factor is darkish and toasty with a wealthy sweetness. The alcohol is remarkably restrained given the proof. Notes of barrel char, candied bacon, and dried apples comprise the extra savory element, whereas hints of darkish vanilla bean and brandied cocktail cherries add a welcome sweeter high quality that builds as issues open up. The anticipated blast of throat scorching heat is nowhere to be discovered on the palate. Had I sipped this blind, I might by no means have guessed this bourbon was anyplace close to its said alcohol content material.
The palate kicks off with molasses, darkish caramels, and juicy raisins earlier than transitioning to lighter notes of butterscotch and dryer notes of pecan shells and barrel char on the mid-palate. The spice builds steadily with Pink Hots and clove however by no means overtakes the opposite flavors, dissipating right into a smoldering, oily end of chocolate-covered cherries and toasted coconut. Water could seem compulsory with this one, and whereas it does kick issues up with extra fruit and a brighter sweetness, neat sipping is certainly not out of the query. Unbelievable stuff and among the finest new bourbon releases in years.
The value is a bit steep for a 10-year-old whiskey, however this one simply ranks proper up there with a few of Sazerac’s different highly-coveted, cask energy bourbons like George T. Stagg or E. H. Taylor Barrel Proof. I’m certain retailers can have this one priced at double the urged retail very quickly. And for as soon as, I actually can’t blame them. Apologies upfront.
141.1 proof.
A+ / $100 / asmithbowman.com
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A. Smith Bowman Cask Energy Bourbon
$100