Abraham Bowman #11-Coffee finished Barrel Proof

[VAGentleman]

The 11^th iteration of Abraham Bowman is now out and it is an interesting one. It is a nine year old cask strength (134.6) non chill filtered bourbon that was finished in barrels that had fresh roasted coffee beans in them. Ricks Roasters took 4 used barrels and filled them with their fresh roasted dark coffee beans and left them in the barrels for a 2-5 weeks(they sell the coffee at the Bowman gift shop). Bowman took the barrels back and put the bourbon in them for six months to finish it off.

On the nose you definitely get some coffee but you also get some nice spice and a little vanilla. When first taking a sip you get some coffee right away that fades to a nice vanilla and cherry before the coffee comes back. The finish is very very long with a coffee flavor lingering for a good long time. For 134.6 proof it is fairly easy drinking and isn’t too hot. There is also a good thick mouthfeel that is nice to see. My guess is this one will be polarizing. If you like coffee flavors this one will be right up your alley. If not it is still a really good but might not suit you completely. I see this as more of a dessert or drink for special occasions rather than an every day pour. I do like it a lot so far though. I also appreciate that Bowman is trying different things and not sticking to the same old same old. This one is very limited (less than 500 bottles I’m told) so it may be a little hard to find. Its supposed to be in Virginia ABC stores next week and is only being sold at the distillery and VA ABC’s

By the way I was able to try this from the barrel after two months and it was very bitter at that time. It’s cool to see how more time in the barrel really smoothes this out after another 4 months.

[mark fleetwood]

The 11^th iteration of Abraham Bowman is now out and it is an interesting one. It is a nine year old cask strength (134.6) non chill filtered bourbon that was finished in barrels that had fresh roasted coffee beans in them. Ricks Roasters took 4 used barrels and filled them with their fresh roasted dark coffee beans and left them in the barrels for a 2-5 weeks(they sell the coffee at the Bowman gift shop). Bowman took the barrels back and put the bourbon in them for six months to finish it off.

On the nose you definitely get some coffee but you also get some nice spice and a little vanilla. When first taking a sip you get some coffee right away that fades to a nice vanilla and cherry before the coffee comes back. The finish is very very long with a coffee flavor lingering for a good long time. For 134.6 proof it is fairly easy drinking and isn’t too hot. There is also a good thick mouthfeel that is nice to see. My guess is this one will be polarizing. If you like coffee flavors this one will be right up your alley. If not it is still a really good but might not suit you completely. I see this as more of a dessert or drink for special occasions rather than an every day pour. I do like it a lot so far though. I also appreciate that Bowman is trying different things and not sticking to the same old same old. This one is very limited (less than 500 bottles I’m told) so it may be a little hard to find. Its supposed to be in Virginia ABC stores next week and is only being sold at the distillery and VA ABC’s

By the way I was able to try this from the barrel after two months and it was very bitter at that time. It’s cool to see how more time in the barrel really smoothes this out after another 4 months.

Former Bristow resident here, thanks for the update. Did anyone mention Truman and what he meant, how they're moving on, etc?

[VAGentleman]

Yes he was. They have a new Master Distillers display with Barrel head portraits of them all. Several mentions of what a great guy and distiller he was. Also how along with Joe Dangler he was instrumental in the shift It Bowman has made to more of a craft distillery from just doing Virginia Gentleman. Sounds like his wife and daughter are doing as well as can be expected also

[Harry in WashDC]

Thank you for the head's up. I hope there are some left at the distillery on the 24th. I'll be near there and now have a reason to stop by again.

[z327]

Picked up a bottle yesterday. I met Truman in Dallas when they introduced their whiskers to Texas. Great guy and everyone at the distillery is so nice. I arrived at 15 minutes after the hour, missing the normal start time for a tour but got one anyway. Met the new master distiller and had a very nice visit. Hard to believe they only have 8 employees total. They have a new still that is a cross between a pot and columner that they plan to do a lot of experimenting with. I think we can expect many more unique whiskies in the coming years.

[dcbt]

They have a new still that is a cross between a pot and columner that they plan to do a lot of experimenting with.

Is this it?

[kjbeggs]

Picked up a bottle yesterday. I met Truman in Dallas when they introduced their whiskers to Texas. Great guy and everyone at the distillery is so nice. I arrived at 15 minutes after the hour, missing the normal start time for a tour but got one anyway. Met the new master distiller and had a very nice visit. Hard to believe they only have 8 employees total. They have a new still that is a cross between a pot and columner that they plan to do a lot of experimenting with. I think we can expect many more unique whiskies in the coming years.

[VAGentleman]

Is this it?

[VAGentleman]

Well, I was just about to say it sounds like there's no way these will ever see Texas, but z327 proved me wrong

[kjbeggs]

Pretty sure he was visiting Virginia. It was just released at the Distillery yesterday and isn't even out at VA ABC stores, so I doubt its in Texas

[VAGentleman]

Sorry about that. Missed the snarkiness:)

[compliance]

The bourbon sounds interesting, but I wouldn't buy the coffee beans. Coffee is stale about 2 weeks post roast, so they are basically barrel aging their beans past when a true coffee geek would want to drink them (the orphan barrel strategy, if you will)

[Harry in WashDC]

FWIW, I visited the ASB Distillery today (FRI 24 APR 2015), and I was told that they sold out their gift shop stock on the 18th and that all bottles in Fredericksburg ABC Stores were also sold out, or so they had been told. The Virginia ABC website doesn't have it listed, and about an hour ago the Virginia ABC Store I frequent the most, and through which I've placed special orders before, told me that a customer asked for it on Sunday, 19 April, and that they, too, were unable to find it listed on the website or on their system's inventory. They promised to do a formal search for me (which is why I go there - they are terrific) in case it has been fully entered into the system inventory by now. Here's hoping . . .

[ccleve23]

FWIW, I visited the ASB Distillery today (FRI 24 APR 2015), and I was told that they sold out their gift shop stock on the 18th and that all bottles in Fredericksburg ABC Stores were also sold out, or so they had been told. The Virginia ABC website doesn't have it listed, and about an hour ago the Virginia ABC Store I frequent the most, and through which I've placed special orders before, told me that a customer asked for it on Sunday, 19 April, and that they, too, were unable to find it listed on the website or on their system's inventory. They promised to do a formal search for me (which is why I go there - they are terrific) in case it has been fully entered into the system inventory by now. Here's hoping . . .

Damn. I just knew it was going to come out when I was in Mexico. Now that I am back, it is gone.

[meadeweber]

Damn. I just knew it was going to come out when I was in Mexico. Now that I am back, it is gone.

Sorry to hear that cleve. I know you were looking forward to that. Sounds like it was a very limited release.

[ccleve23]

Sorry to hear that cleve. I know you were looking forward to that. Sounds like it was a very limited release.

Thanks. I knew it was a small release. I was down there a couple weeks before and they were saying a cask strength something was coming. I was just hoping it wasn't when I was away. I may go back for their barrel aged hot sauce anyway. That stuff is tasty.

[Harry in WashDC]

Small release, indeed. Apparently, it was three barrels which were blended and left at cask strength; I think the gift shop person today said there were only 400-450 750s. I was so depressed to hear I'd missed it that I forgot to ask if I could go see their new still, George.

[VAGentleman]

It hit an ABC store by me on Thursday and was gone today. I was told 72 cases (6 bottles a case). I've spent a little more time with this and its interesting, I usually drink my bourbon on the rocks but I have to drink this one neat. The ice/water intensifies the coffee taste for me. I'm not a big coffee fan, don't drink it. Neat has a little less of the intensity and is really nice.

[bourbonfoot]

None of the stores in my neck of the woods had seen this yet. I put my name down so here's hoping I get a call.

[Mardbrown]

Picked this up today and all I have to say is WOW! Im sipping on this right now and it is very delicious. I don't normally go for adding flavors to bourbon but they did this one well. I think what did it for me was the fact that it is barrel proof. It allows the bourbon to stand up in the forefront of the palate. The bourbon jumps out while its still in the mouth and then the coffee comes through on the finish.

[ccleve23]

Picked this up today and all I have to say is WOW! Im sipping on this right now and it is very delicious. I don't normally go for adding flavors to bourbon but they did this one well. I think what did it for me was the fact that it is barrel proof. It allows the bourbon to stand up in the forefront of the palate. The bourbon jumps out while its still in the mouth and then the coffee comes through on the finish.

I have my jealous face on right now. I had to be out of town when it came out at the distillery.

[Mardbrown]

I have my jealous face on right now. I had to be out of town when it came out at the distillery.

When are you coming back. PM me.

Edited April 30, 2015 by Mardbrown

[bourbonfoot]

Thanks to a kind forum member I purchased a bottle of this at my local store. I spoke with the VA warehouse who told me that all but "a couple bottles" are gone there as well. This came and went much faster than I expected, but glad to have picked one up with some help.

[sob0728]

I thought it was great. If you do not like coffee, you will not like this and I wouldn't evaluate it as a bourbon even. But just as a whiskey, it is damn good. It noses almost like a sherry monster with big fudgy notes, has soft entry that is not too hot, again comes back with the big fudgy sweetness then has a long coffee finish that lasts forever. I think it's great and makes a great after dinner drink.

[Harry in WashDC]

My favorite VA ABC Store came through for me. It's tiny, but they are really into customer service. After more than a week wondering if they'd be able to get me one, they did.

I opened mine this morning, poured about an ounce, made up a batch of oatmeal, and settled into breakfast.

The 138+ proof is not as hot as I expected and does not overwhelm the bourbon flavors. Frankly, it reminded me of the latest (2014) GTS - hot, full, chewy, and fruity when tasted neat.

I learned years ago that I am mortal so, after that first sip and even though it was delicious neat, I added half a standard ice cube and let the glass sit. The slight coffee essence barely present in the first sip now became a nice blend of mocha (or even cappuccino although I have no idea where the milky flavor came from) and the standard caramel I find in most A. Smith Bowman products.

Of the half dozen Abraham Bowman LEs I've tried, I like this one best.