OWA Private or Single Barrel

[ggilbertva]

How do you know we're not best buds?

[hectic1]

Very sorry...didn't notice the name difference until after the fact. Bob...stop being a douche.

I can't wait to get my giant man hug Greg...62 days and counting! See you in Bardstown little buddy!

[ggilbertva]

I can't wait to get my giant man hug Greg...62 days and counting! See you in Bardstown little buddy!

Giggyup Gilligan.

[MacinJosh]

I think what separates a private selection from the regular offering is that you are talking about single barrels versus small batch. I think that fortunately the regular release is pretty consistent and very good. What is going to separate a private selections from the standard release and from other private selections is subtle variations in flavor profile, a nuance here or there, a push in one particular direction in the flavor profile. I agree with a lot of you, though, that while I prefer a single barrel selection the off-the-shelf OWA holds its own just fine. It is a solid label, for now.

Exactly Ryan.

I can assure you there are a wide range of variances in the flavor profile within OWA SB's. I've had enough of them now (and had the pleasure of hand selecting a few) to know this to be the case. Some are absolute caramel bombs, unmistakeable. Lots of forward sweetness on the front palate. Others are more complex and balanced with sweetness, spice, and toasted oak notes playing throughout. And others can be a bit dry, more woody and cottony. The variances are enough that I've even been able to correctly identify a SB in a completely blind tasting. Certain aspects of the SB jump out at you and stick in your memory.

With all that said, I would still echo what others have already stated. The off the shelf OWA is still a fantastic bourbon. The absolute best bang for your buck bourbon out there IMHO.

[wadewood]

Ya know, I've always passed up the Bowman stuff while still meaning to try it some time. I've seen two versions - the Small Batch and Single Barrel for $27-$47 if I remember correctly. What would you compare it to?

Back on topic, well not really because topic is about OWA and not Bowman, but at least back to this question. Sazerac/BT owns Bowman. These Bowman products likely are BT distilled BT recipe bourbon that may or may not have been redistilled one more time in smaller pot still at Bowman. Then they were aged in Virginia. Also aged on pallets not a traditional rickhouse. So answer is a lot like Buffalo Trace, but there are noticeable differences.

[smknjoe]

Thanks for the OWA SB sample Wade.

OWA Standard: Nose: Vanilla and wood

Taste: Medium mouthfeel, caramel and some oak then some burn like redhots

Finish: lingering sweetness

OWA Single Barrel: Nose: Butterscotch with a hint of oak

Taste: Medium+ mouthfeel - velvety smooth, caramel/butterscotch

Finish: Lingering butterscotch sweetness more than the standard bottling

Pretty much what everyone has described. You can certainly tell they are the same bourbon, but the SB leans towards the sweeter side. It's not like they are vastly different though. Good stuff!