Abraham Bowman #15-Gingerbread Cocoa finish

[VAGentleman]

The latest Abraham Bowman was released today at the distillery.  I got there around 11:30 r so and there were still about 100 people waiting in line (they opened at 10), the bourbon boom is still going strong for anything limited.  As part of this release of Abraham they gave everyone a data sheet with a lot of great info about this bourbon.  It was triple distilled, distilled in VA on 12/12/2006, the proof off the still was 140-144 proof.  Aged in barrels with a #3 char.  There was a 50.3% evaporation loss from the original aging.  It was aged 8 years 3 months originally.  10 barrels were sent to Hardywood brewery and 6 were filled with their Gingerbread Stout and 4 were filled with their experimental Milk stout.  The beer stayed in the barrels for 8 months before being sent back to the distillery where the bourbon was aged in the barrels for an additional 1 year and 5 months.  The bourbon was mingled  on 8-17-16 and proof was lowered to 90 over 2 weeks.  It is non chill filtered.  I hope they continue to give out this much information going forward

So…how is it?

The nose on this is really nice, some caramel, spice and a hint of cocoa.  The taste starts out with some nice rye spice with some chocolate/cocoa notes, that fades to some caramel and  cinnamon  spice with a finish that lasts a long time.  I wasn’t too sure about this one going in but damn its pretty good.

I pulled out a bottle of the original Gingerbread finish they did a while back and this one has a sweeter nose and is a little more refined as the Milk stout seems to have softened the kick of the gingerbread from the original.

[VAGentleman]

Forgot Barrel entry proof was 125 and these are 375 ml bottles

Edited October 1, 2016 by VAGentleman

[JoeTerp]

Thanks for all the details and the tasting notes. I wasn't able to drive down today, but am hopeful to get a bottle through the lottery. 

[Hop]

20 hours ago, VAGentleman said:

The latest Abraham Bowman was released today at the distillery.  I got there around 11:30 r so and there were still about 100 people waiting in line (they opened at 10), the bourbon boom is still going strong for anything limited. 

 

Wish I'd known you were there - was there with my daughter and was either just behind or ahead of you in line...

[VAGentleman]

That was a hell of a drive for you to make for some whiskey.  Glad you got some!  By the way the chocolate notes really come forward a lot more when you add some water

Edited October 3, 2016 by VAGentleman

[Hop]

7 hours ago, VAGentleman said:

That was a hell of a drive for you to make for some whiskey.  Glad you got some!  By the way the chocolate notes really come forward a lot more when you add some water

It was but my 19 yr old daughter wanted to spend some time with me so it was great and I love me some Bowman! - I'll try the water addition tomorrow - already started out with the Blanton's tonight and feel the need to try finished bourbon's with a fresh palate

[BobbieJoe]

It seems by your posts you are the go to for the Abraham line. I was wondering which Abraham is your favorite. I have only been able to obtain #13 &#15 .. They sold out of 14 before I made it to the dis. 

[VAGentleman]

Abraham #2 the 18 year old bourbon is my favorite of all the ones released so far.  I'd put the Last Millenium, the 17 year old bourbon, the original Rye and the Double Oaked in the top 5 as well

[tanstaafl2]

7 minutes ago, VAGentleman said:

Abraham #2 the 18 year old bourbon is my favorite of all the ones released so far.  I'd put the Last Millenium, the 17 year old bourbon, the original Rye and the Double Oaked in the top 5 as well

 

Got into AB to late to catch some of those early releases of older whiskey but the 2 different port finishes I thought were quite strong as well.

[VAGentleman]

1 hour ago, tanstaafl2 said:

 

Got into AB to late to catch some of those early releases of older whiskey but the 2 different port finishes I thought were quite strong as well.

I agree, they would probably be next in my rankings.

[BobbieJoe]

Very cool thanks 

[$helby]

On 10/1/2016 at 2:52 PM, VAGentleman said:

The latest Abraham Bowman was released today at the distillery.  I got there around 11:30 r so and there were still about 100 people waiting in line (they opened at 10), the bourbon boom is still going strong for anything limited.  As part of this release of Abraham they gave everyone a data sheet with a lot of great info about this bourbon.  It was triple distilled, distilled in VA on 12/12/2006, the proof off the still was 140-144 proof.  Aged in barrels with a #3 char.  There was a 50.3% evaporation loss from the original aging.  It was aged 8 years 3 months originally.  10 barrels were sent to Hardywood brewery and 6 were filled with their Gingerbread Stout and 4 were filled with their experimental Milk stout.  The beer stayed in the barrels for 8 months before being sent back to the distillery where the bourbon was aged in the barrels for an additional 1 year and 5 months.  The bourbon was mingled  on 8-17-16 and proof was lowered to 90 over 2 weeks.  It is non chill filtered.  I hope they continue to give out this much information going forward

 

So…how is it?

 

The nose on this is really nice, some caramel, spice and a hint of cocoa.  The taste starts out with some nice rye spice with some chocolate/cocoa notes, that fades to some caramel and  cinnamon  spice with a finish that lasts a long time.  I wasn’t too sure about this one going in but damn its pretty good.

 

I pulled out a bottle of the original Gingerbread finish they did a while back and this one has a sweeter nose and is a little more refined as the Milk stout seems to have softened the kick of the gingerbread from the original.

 

I totally agree with you.   Very nice edition and it seems to have improved after opening and the last quarter of the bottle about two weeks later seemed more refined and smooth.   I actually like #15 better than the their original ginger edition.   I suspect that as their reputation grows, it will be harder and harder to score one of the limited editions if you don't live near the distillery.    

[Canarse]

Broke open a bottle of this last weekend.  Very nice.  I have gotten to the point that most bourbons under 100 proof don't excite me as much as they used to.  I guess I like the burn/kick.  This Abraham Bowman hit all the right notes for me.  Definitely on the sweet side, but with a lot of interesting things going on.  I'm not good at pointing out flavors, but there were several going on.  If you get a chance have a taste of this stuff.  Good work by the folks at Bowman.