Abraham Bowman Release 5

[Josh]

Couldn't this just mean that the barrels were distilled by Ancient Age Distillery (before it became Buffalo Trace)?

I think that's exactly what it means. Ancient Age isn't stamped on the bourbon barrels at Buffalo Trace anymore, just Buffalo Trace and #1, #2 or Weller.

[Enoch]

I think that's exactly what it means. Ancient Age isn't stamped on the bourbon barrels at Buffalo Trace anymore, just Buffalo Trace and #1, #2 or Weller.

I think my question is whether this is the same mash/distillate as AAA10, just a little older. If so, then is it worth 4X the price of AAA10?

[Yeti]

That question can be asked about PVW, BTAC, PHC, etc. etc. etc.

Every one of those (with the exception of a few PHC releases) is just an extra aged, cherry-picked standard distillate.

[Josh]

I think my question is whether this is the same mash/distillate as AAA10, just a little older. If so, then is it worth 4X the price of AAA10?

It's the same mashbill (probably) but aged in a different location under different circumstances so it's bound to be different. AAA 10 y/o is a fantastic value so it's kind of an anomaly and it's not quite fair to compare it to a special release. I haven't had the new one so I can't comment on how good it is. My point was that if a barrel was marked Ancient Age, that might mean they are pretty old barrels. That might make it pretty good. Or it might not.

[tanstaafl2]

Doesn't most of the BT distillate undergo another distillation on site as well? Another step that can and probably does change the character of the whiskey.

Whether any of this warrants the increase in cost is still debatable but as whiskey gets older the cost tends to climb as we all know. And this is reportedly 13-15+ years old so not an insignificant difference in age and includes whiskey from a similar source that we already know can potentially be quite good.

If i can find it with only a modicum of effort I am probably going to give it a try.

Edited June 10, 2013 by tanstaafl2

[Yeti]

Boots on the ground confirm it's in the wild.

[squire]

Whether or not it's worth it really begs the question of costs, I mean if we want it that's what we will have to pay.

[HP12]

Whether or not it's worth it really begs the question of costs, I mean if we want it that's what we will have to pay.

I'll eventually get a sample. After trying and procuring great bottles of JJB 14yo and AB "gift shop", those are tough to beat and my benchmark. This one, AB version 5 as well as future AB's will need to rise above the high bar in order for me to bite.

[VAGentleman]

Boots on the ground confirm it's in the wild.

I have also seen it in several Virginia ABC stores now

[theglobalguy]

Anyone crack theirs open yet? Curious to the impression (though no chance we'll get any in Louisville).

[Lost Pollito]

I haven't had a taste yet, but it doesn't come off as gimmicky to me. The, " Last Millennium" wording, is quite small on the front label. I think of Loch Dhu as a gimmick. I hope I can find a taste floating around.

[Lost Pollito]

This is one fine sipping bourbon. Its got a little bit of rye spice giving way to some nice oak notes. A little vanilla comes through as well. Some alcohol burn on the finish, which is nice and long. This is a very well balanced and tasty pour. I’m gonna have to get a couple more bottles of this one.

Think you nailed it. Pleasant, not boring by any means. Balanced is a good description. If there is a detractor for me, it would be the anise notes. For some reason, I'm thinking "bright" anise if that makes any sense. Certainly a touch drying, though I'd put that on the proof, and this being my first taste today. Got the cotton candy / new wood thing going on the nose. Always a plus for me. A little water, not surprisingly, brings out the sweetness. I keep thinking white pepper on the tongue, mixed with sharp anise. Dry finish. Really, about what you'd expect from a 15 year old bourbon. The wood could be a detractor for some, while others will like it for those notes.

[scratchline]

Put me in the "yea" column on this one. It definitely tends to the woody side but there is enough depth and complexity to balance it out in the end. I didn't get the anise note but I was tasting casually with friends and could easily have missed it. The vanilla was there and also some dark fruits. A little ice softened it nicely. Preferred it with a cube. Everyone who shared it liked it. It was an easy sipper but definitely invited some deeper contemplation. Happy to have a couple of extra bottles on the shelf.

-Mike

[portugieser]

I'll be cracking open a bottle of the "Last Millennium" his evening and will compare with the John J. Bowman expression.

[Yeti]

I like it quite a bit, and found it to be clearly superior to my John J. Bowman that I have open. It's not a special selection, just off the shelf, so YMMV if comparing to the TPS 45 or something like that, but I found it to have much more depth and complexity than the JJB on both the nose and palate. It's spicier, and sweeter (but not "sweet") and has a really great viscosity for the proof. Is it worth $75? I hate those questions, but I have more than one bottle unopened and I'm happy about that.

[portugieser]

Have just been sampling both the new Abraham Bowman Millennium and the John J. Bowman.

I really like how both bourbons have a great under current of chocolate / toffee / leather that is very well balanced with some spicy rye. The flavors are similar to Ancient Ancient Age (maybe same mash bill?) but are more complex. The Millennium with its combination of well matured whiskeys is certainly the winner of the two. Well balanced and the flavors all play nice with each other -- an excellent pour that rivals those in its price range.

RIP Truman Cox

[Happyhour24x7]

Broke this open with a buddy last week. It was a late post concert nightcap, but first impression was good.

[Bourserker]

I've checked all the stores around me and haven't seen a single one of these yet. Maybe it doesn't make it over here? Also had a couple of those useless conversations we talked about earlier with some of the ABC folks.

[WhiskyRI]

I toured the Bowman distillery yesterday and then stopped off at a couple of ABC stores in Richmond. The first store had a great bourbon selection and although the they didn't have any of the A Bowman, they did go check and tell us which stores close by had some in stock. Popped into the 2nd store and they had 2 bottles on the shelf. My buddy and I each bought one and left 3 bottles behind for the next person. Had very good conversations with ABC staffers at both stores and they were very helpful.

[HP12]

I've checked all the stores around me and haven't seen a single one of these yet. Maybe it doesn't make it over here? Also had a couple of those useless conversations we talked about earlier with some of the ABC folks.

Not all ABC stores will carry it but but ABLM is out there.