Abraham Bowman #12 - High Rye Bourbon

[VAGentleman]

The newest Abraham Bowman was released today. It is a high rye bourbon. 100 proof, non-chill filtered and 7 years and 10 months old. I talked with MD Brian Prewitt and this is not simply the BT Mash Bill #2. This one is 5 times the rye used in the regular Bowman products (which are BT mash bill #1). There were 10 barrels and they will be distributing this nationally. It should be in VA ABC stores next week. Available at the distillery now.

The nose on this definitely has a nice spicy peppery smell to it. A tiny bit of vanilla. Good thick mouthfeel to it. Pepper and spice starts off leading to a hint of vanilla with a long dry finish. You can really tell its high rye. Way spicier than the regular. Really good flavors. Looking forward to spending more time with this bottle to see how it opens up with air and time.

[MOwhisky4me]

Sounds like an excellent offering and one I'll definitely keep an eye out for! A high rye bourbon really hits the right taste notes for me sometimes, especially in the fall as temps cool and leaves turn. Hope I run across it here in Mid-MO.

I was under the impression that the Bowman bourbons used BT mash bill #2. I know I've read numerous reviews for John J Bowman SB that mention the higher rye mash bill.

[VAGentleman]

Sounds like an excellent offering and one I'll definitely keep an eye out for! A high rye bourbon really hits the right taste notes for me sometimes, especially in the fall as temps cool and leaves turn. Hope I run across it here in Mid-MO.

I was under the impression that the Bowman bourbons used BT mash bill #2. I know I've read numerous reviews for John J Bowman SB that mention the higher rye mash bill.

I was told by Brian Prewitt a couple times that they use Mash Bill #1

[MOwhisky4me]

I was told by Brian Prewitt a couple times that they use Mash Bill #1

No better authority than that... I think I'll trust what he told you! ?

[tanstaafl2]

The newest Abraham Bowman was released today. It is a high rye bourbon. 100 proof, non-chill filtered and 7 years and 10 months old. I talked with MD Brian Prewitt and this is not simply the BT Mash Bill #2. This one is 5 times the rye used in the regular Bowman products (which are BT mash bill #1).

This probably says as much about the very low rye content of the BT #1 mashbill as anything. Since it can't by more than 49% rye, a high rye content indeed, that says BT #1 is below 10% rye (9.8% tops) and probably less as has been speculated in the past. Would be a curiosity as to where it came from but I suppose we will never know.

[Harry in WashDC]

Thank you, VAG, for the timely (i.e., quick) notice. I have INKED in a trip to AS Bowman for Saturday. And I, too, heard at the distillery some months ago that they use the #1 mashbill. Well, my mind being what it is, I couldn't swear to that, so can always ask again.:cool:

EDIT - IF I can remember to ask.

Edited August 6, 2015 by Harry in WashDC

[gotzero]

Lucky timing! Driving from DE to NC tomorrow and then back on Sat, going to stop on one of the trips and look around and pick up a bottle.

[gotzero]

Lucky timing! Driving from DE to NC tomorrow and then back on Sat, going to stop on one of the trips and look around and pick up a bottle.

Left a little late this morning but convinced my wife to let me stop by on the way down. Met Brian but got the spousal look that there was not time for a tour. Going to lobby to stop by on the way home and spend some more time there.

[VAGentleman]

Hopefully you picked up a bottle of the Abraham while you were there. The tour is well worth it if you get the chance, especially now with the new still and everything else that goes along with it

[gotzero]

Hopefully you picked up a bottle of the Abraham while you were there. The tour is well worth it if you get the chance, especially now with the new still and everything else that goes along with it

Most certainly did. Just my luck, Brian was hanging out up front, and the one time I could not hang around talking bourbon I am face to face with the master distiller offering a tasting.

[Harry in WashDC]

Gotzero, we must have just missed each other by minutes, and I, too, was time-constrained so did not tour this time; I would have, again, just to see how things have changed with the new still set-up.

Brian Prewitt was there when I got there, too. He was waiting for some spirits trade people (edit - I think they were "working"; I didn't really pay attention when they showed up), but we talked some just before they showed up and he had to leave. "Corporate" would only allow sales of single bottles today (Friday) although I was told I could return on Saturday when multiples could be purchased. I won't be in F-burg on Saturday so will just have to depend on my favorite VA ABC stores for the other couple I was going to buy and hold and then drink.

I did ask about the new still. Apparently, they have run it a couple of times to become familiar with its eccentricities, but it is not yet in production. They intend on making some gins with the first few production runs. Their current gin offering in the ASmith Bowman line (not to be confused with the plastic bottles with BOWMAN's GIN printed on the label) comes in the basic ASmith Bowman glass bottle (go see it on their website) and is called Sunset. It is fine for an 80 proof, London dry-style gin. I do look forward to their new gins which, I was told but not by Mr. Prewitt, will continue the ASB experimentations and will involve use of a mix of botanicals.

EDIT - "Sunset Hills" gin, not just "Sunset". Looking right at a bottle. Sheesh, what a maroon.

Edited August 7, 2015 by Harry in WashDC

[VAGentleman]

Not to get too off topic, but I've heard rumors of a couple different experimental gins in 375's sold as a set

[kb2285]

The newest Abraham Bowman was released today. It is a high rye bourbon. 100 proof, non-chill filtered and 7 years and 10 months old. I talked with MD Brian Prewitt and this is not simply the BT Mash Bill #2. This one is 5 times the rye used in the regular Bowman products (which are BT mash bill #1). There were 10 barrels and they will be distributing this nationally. It should be in VA ABC stores next week. Available at the distillery now.

The nose on this definitely has a nice spicy peppery smell to it. A tiny bit of vanilla. Good thick mouthfeel to it. Pepper and spice starts off leading to a hint of vanilla with a long dry finish. You can really tell its high rye. Way spicier than the regular. Really good flavors. Looking forward to spending more time with this bottle to see how it opens up with air and time.

Sounds like a little older baby Saz bottled at 100 proof. I'm interested...

[amg]

Sounds like a little older baby Saz bottled at 100 proof. I'm interested...

Baby Saz couldn't legally be called bourbon. This is an altogether different mash bill which is very intriguing, though I doubt it's one we'll see again any time soon.

[kb2285]

Baby Saz couldn't legally be called bourbon. This is an altogether different mash bill which is very intriguing, though I doubt it's one we'll see again any time soon.

Well yea one is a high rye straight bourbon and the other is a barely legal straight rye. Point being, I don't think 40 v 51 would make much of a difference flavor wise.

[tanstaafl2]

Well yea one is a high rye straight bourbon and the other is a barely legal straight rye. Point being, I don't think 40 v 51 would make much of a difference flavor wise.

Only one way to find out! Presuming I can find a bottle of course...

[squire]

Depending on who did the distilling, (their equipment, yeast, water, etc.) where and how aged for how long, there may be little difference between 40% or 51%, or there can be a helluva lot of difference.

As the man said, the proof is in the tasting.

[jackthedog]

Has anyone had the chance to try this release? I'm contemplating picking up a bottle and was curious before spending the money if anyone had any impressions.

Edit: Oops, completely missed the write up in the first post.

[Harry in WashDC]

Has anyone had the chance to try this release? I'm contemplating picking up a bottle and was curious before spending the money if anyone had any impressions.

Edit: Oops, completely missed the write up in the first post.

Yes, I have opened my bottle. Yes, I have some thoughts on it. When I get more thoughts on it and then get those thoughts organized, I'll post. Maybe by the weekend. It's supposed to hit VA ABC Stores and have some "limited" national distribution (although I don't know what that means - probably places that sell lots of Saz/BT stuff) in the next week or so.

And, yes, I'd buy more even at $70 per 750 but probably not a lot.

[VAGentleman]

Its hit VA ABC stores. I've had a few more pours and still like it quite a bit. A big bold bourbon that's a little different in a good way in my opinion

[jackthedog]

I saw it had arrived at the ABC stores and am trying to make up my mind. I'm usually not a huge high rye fan and I actually haven't had the standard Bowman (I realize this is different) so I may hold off.

[bourbonfoot]

Just landed by me, every store got 6. I picked up one today, will give it a go tonight and see if I want to grab an extra. If anything I just like that Bowman is putting out "different" things every quarter.

[bourbonfoot]

Tried last night. Like some others have said, it drinks with a full body, bourbon up front. It finishes smooth, rye heavy. It tastes what I imagine a Bourye or Unforgiven would taste like in good form. It'd be fun to see what the mashbill was for this bottle. I've seen that they used "4x" the amount of rye as their normal mashbill. Assuming they're using something close to mashbill 1, that would put them at 40% rye (4x mashbill two can get you close to or over 50%). Anyway, not sure I'd get another bottle at $70 as of now, but I don't regret the purchase at all. Being from VA I'll typically support whatever Bowman's puts out.