BOTM 04/25 John J. Bowman

[Jazz June]

The Basics

 

Distillery: Bowman

Brand Owner: Sazerac

Mash Bill: re-distillation of Buffalo Trace distillate, likely both Buffalo Trace rye recipe bourbon mash bills

Proof: 100

Age: NAS (years ago when I did the tour, we were told 8 to 10-year barrels were pulled for this expression, the barrel pick fact sheet now says the minimum age of a pick is 9 years old, I have had picks that were as old as 14)

MSRP: $57

Expression introduced: 2009

Last time as BotM: First time as BotM

 

Distillery Tasting Notes

 

A bourbon with “hints of toffee, leather, figs.”

 

My Thoughts

 

John J. Bowman (“JJB”) is a single barrel bourbon from the A. Smith Bowman Distillery in Fredericksburg, Virginia and their most premium regular release. This whiskey is a bit of a hidden gem, at least here in Virginia where it can be more easily found. It has typically been plentiful here, although availability now comes and goes these last few years. However, my understanding is that it is rare to non-existent in many/most other states.

 

In the past, it was fairly well-established that Bowman was re-distilling white dog from Buffalo Trace, another Sazerac owned distillery, to make Bowman bourbon. I have seen more recent claims that they can or do distill whiskey from scratch at Bowman now, but until I see further proof though, I’m hesitant to believe that. It is also not clear what mash bill the white dog being shipped in is, but I’d guess it is both Buffalo Trace #1 and Buffalo Trace #2 rye recipe bourbon mash white dog. This is why you will see claims that JJB is really Blanton’s, really EH Taylor, or some other similar incorrect claim. That white dog is re-distilled on the stills at Bowman and eventually becomes Virginia Straight Bourbon.

 

Bowman’s current facility, which they moved into in 1988, was a cellophane factory and some of the buildings at least, to include the warehouse, were not designed for a distillery. The warehouse is palletized with the barrels sitting straight up on top of each other rather than on ricks. It gets very hot in that warehouse and this is evident in the very high proofs seen in many Bowman special releases like Abraham Bowman and the A. Smith Bowman cask strength.

 

A small number of private selections of JJB are done each year and I have tasted some as old as 14 years. Most of these seem to stay in Virginia and the DMV area, but it is an option in the Sazerac barrel pick lottery, so I’d imagine some do get out to other parts of the country. I believe some former members of this forum were actually the first to ever select a private barrel of JJB.

 

So, Straight Bourbon, what do you have to say about John J. Bowman?

[Skinsfan1311]

I love it!

We always keep a bottle on hand.

We stay at a log cabin near Fredericksburg every year and always make time to stop by the distillery. They've got some cool SWAG there too.

I've never run out, but came perilously close a few years back during that bottle fiasco.  We happened to be in Fredericksburg as it started appearing on shelves and they were limiting it to one bottle per person. I bought one. Mrs Skinsfan bought one, and we did the same thing the following day. Normally, I don't advocate that sort of thing, but I wasn't taking a chance of running out.

It's one of two whiskeys that I consider "decanter-worthy", the other being OGD BiB. 

 

The Abraham Bowman is my White Whale...

Edited April 6 by Skinsfan1311

[NDN98]

Absolutely love John J Bowman.  It used to be my daily drinker and then it became very difficult to find in my area of Texas.   I have recently lucked into a few bottles of it and have a couple of backups to go with open bottle.   I think it’s one of the most underrated/under-hyped bourbons in today’s market.

[Kepler]

On 4/3/2025 at 10:32 AM, Jazz June said:

The Basics

 

Distillery: Bowman

Brand Owner: Sazerac

Mash Bill: re-distillation of Buffalo Trace distillate, likely both Buffalo Trace rye recipe bourbon mash bills

Proof: 100

Age: NAS (years ago when I did the tour, we were told 8 to 10-year barrels were pulled for this expression, the barrel pick fact sheet now says the minimum age of a pick is 9 years old, I have had picks that were as old as 14)

MSRP: $57

Expression introduced: 2009

Last time as BotM: First time as BotM

 

Distillery Tasting Notes

 

A bourbon with “hints of toffee, leather, figs.”

 

My Thoughts

 

John J. Bowman (“JJB”) is a single barrel bourbon from the A. Smith Bowman Distillery in Fredericksburg, Virginia and their most premium regular release. This whiskey is a bit of a hidden gem, at least here in Virginia where it can be more easily found. It has typically been plentiful here, although availability now comes and goes these last few years. However, my understanding is that it is rare to non-existent in many/most other states.

 

In the past, it was fairly well-established that Bowman was re-distilling white dog from Buffalo Trace, another Sazerac owned distillery, to make Bowman bourbon. I have seen more recent claims that they can or do distill whiskey from scratch at Bowman now, but until I see further proof though, I’m hesitant to believe that. It is also not clear what mash bill the white dog being shipped in is, but I’d guess it is both Buffalo Trace #1 and Buffalo Trace #2 rye recipe bourbon mash white dog. This is why you will see claims that JJB is really Blanton’s, really EH Taylor, or some other similar incorrect claim. That white dog is re-distilled on the stills at Bowman and eventually becomes Virginia Straight Bourbon.

 

Bowman’s current facility, which they moved into in 1988, was a cellophane factory and some of the buildings at least, to include the warehouse, were not designed for a distillery. The warehouse is palletized with the barrels sitting straight up on top of each other rather than on ricks. It gets very hot in that warehouse and this is evident in the very high proofs seen in many Bowman special releases like Abraham Bowman and the A. Smith Bowman cask strength.

 

A small number of private selections of JJB are done each year and I have tasted some as old as 14 years. Most of these seem to stay in Virginia and the DMV area, but it is an option in the Sazerac barrel pick lottery, so I’d imagine some do get out to other parts of the country. I believe some former members of this forum were actually the first to ever select a private barrel of JJB.

 

So, Straight Bourbon, what do you have to say about John J. Bowman?

 

Nice rundown of JJB.  I actually didn't realize that Bowman was a Sazerac brand.  Now the mash bill story (which I was aware of) makes total sense. 

 

I am a huge fan of JJB, and considering how CEHT SmB/SiB and Blanton's have really gone up in price, I'd rather just purchase JJB instead.  Price of JJB has also crept up, but it is still a much better value for what it is compared to those others.

 

[fishnbowljoe]

If only Truman Cox was still alive. It’s hard to believe he’s been gone over twelve years now.  

[MSB]

Are we speaking of this version of JJB or what I think is the "newer" version which is the LE picked by Brian Prewitt ( Green label, sorry i dont have a current pic of that version)?

 

I love JJB LE. I have not had the other version for some yrs now. The pictured one is in my bunker with a few of the LE. I haven't seen this "older" version on a shelf in some time. Again, i call it the older version only because i have net seen it in a long time.

I did not know it was made with BT's mashbill, very interesting as it does not remind me of any BT products.

 

I have heard of Abraham but never have seen one on a shelf anywhere. Is it the same as A Smith Bowman? 

Edited April 21 by MSB
Ignore the question about Abraham and A Smith, I just reread the OP and he answered my question.

[MSB]

This is the LE I am speaking of.

 

This is a screen shot from the interweb, so my apologies if it is of poor quality.

 

 

 

[Jazz June]

28 minutes ago, MSB said:

Are we speaking of this version of JJB or what I think is the "newer" version which is the LE picked by Brian Prewitt ( Green label, sorry i dont have a current pic of that version)?

 

I love JJB LE. I have not had the other version for some yrs now. The pictured one is in my bunker with a few of the LE. I haven't seen this "older" version on a shelf in some time. Again, i call it the older version only because i have net seen it in a long time.

I did not know it was made with BT's mashbill, very interesting as it does not remind me of any BT products.

 

I have heard of Abraham but never have seen one on a shelf anywhere. Is it the same as A Smith Bowman? 

 

There's no difference between these two, just a label update. This was confirmed by Bowman people following the initial uproar over it being a "limited edition." That term has no specific legal meaning and I suppose all single barrels are "limited."

 

 

[Kepler]

58 minutes ago, Jazz June said:

There's no difference between these two, just a label update. This was confirmed by Bowman people following the initial uproar over it being a "limited edition." That term has no specific legal meaning and I suppose all single barrels are "limited."

 

This is my understanding as well.  The old label style is gone.  I assume the "limited" was added just to fool people.

[Kepler]

1 hour ago, MSB said:

I have heard of Abraham but never have seen one on a shelf anywhere. Is it the same as A Smith Bowman?

 

Each bottle in their lineup has a different "name" which can be confusing.  Attaching a pic of their standard line.

 

[Kepler]

1 hour ago, MSB said:

I have heard of Abraham but never have seen one on a shelf anywhere. Is it the same as A Smith Bowman?

 

2 minutes ago, Kepler said:

 

Each bottle in their lineup has a different "name" which can be confusing.  Attaching a pic of their standard line.

 

 

And the "Abraham" bottling seems reserved for their experimental releases:

 

https://asmithbowman.com/spirits/

 

 

[MSB]

1 hour ago, Jazz June said:

 

There's no difference between these two, just a label update. This was confirmed by Bowman people following the initial uproar over it being a "limited edition." That term has no specific legal meaning and I suppose all single barrels are "limited."

 

 

Thank you for the clarification.  

 

When searching for the LE pic, I did notice a JJ Bowman that was 94 proof, have you any info on that one? I'll try to find the ad that I saw.

Edited April 21 by MSB
80pf not 94 pf....think I am getting CRS.

[MSB]

Here is the ad i saw.

Edited April 21 by MSB
ad, not sd

[MSB]

30 minutes ago, Kepler said:

 

 

And the "Abraham" bottling seems reserved for their experimental releases:

 

https://asmithbowman.com/spirits/

 

 

I've had the Bowman Bros and JJB, but none of the others. I have seen Isaac plenty of times but have not pulled the trigger to buy one. I have yet to decide if I am a fan of finished bourbons at this point. Along with that, the price is a lil more than the 64-68 (in my area) for the JJB that I really enjoy.

 

Is Abraham a distillery only release?

 

And thank you for your input.

[Kepler]

30 minutes ago, MSB said:

Here is the ad i saw.

 

I've never heard of an 80 proof version of their single barrel.  Where did you find that photo?  Personally I'm skeptical that it's accurate.

 

[Kepler]

24 minutes ago, MSB said:

...

Is Abraham a distillery only release?

 

...

 

I think so but not sure.  I've never heard of them being available in my state (Texas).

 

You might need to email Bowman.

 

[MSB]

1 hour ago, Kepler said:

 

This is my understanding as well.  The old label style is gone.  I assume the "limited" was added just to fool people.

So my Old label JJB is Limited Edition NOW!?!

[MSB]

7 minutes ago, Kepler said:

 

I've never heard of an 80 proof version of their single barrel.  Where did you find that photo?  Personally I'm skeptical that it's accurate.

 

https://www.delmesaliquor.com/products/john-j-bowman-limited-edition-green-label-single-barrel-bourbon-whiskey

 

 

I too am skeptical of this. I have only bought booze on-line once and it WAS NOT from here.  Just saw this as I was looking for a decent pic to use as the "new" version of JJB. ( excuse me, new label)

[Kepler]

10 minutes ago, MSB said:

https://www.delmesaliquor.com/products/john-j-bowman-limited-edition-green-label-single-barrel-bourbon-whiskey

 

 

I too am skeptical of this. I have only bought booze on-line once and it WAS NOT from here.  Just saw this as I was looking for a decent pic to use as the "new" version of JJB. ( excuse me, new label)

 

Interesting, thanks.  No, I've never seen that proof before.

[MSB]

* correction

 

In my area Isaac is not more than JJB.

 

I am still not sure I am a fan of finished bourbons. I do not care for the standard AE but I do like  the higher proofs from AE but not a fan of the prices the ask for them.

[Jazz June]

4 hours ago, MSB said:

Here is the ad i saw.

 

 

That looks like it might be a mockup. In any case, I'm not aware of John J. Bowman ever being anything but 100 proof. They have single barrel picks of the Bowman Brothers Small Batch, which are bottled at its normal 90 proof. As for MSRP pricing on the regular line, the Bowman Brothers is $35, the Isaac Bowman is $45, and the John J. Bowman is $57.

 

The A. Smith Bowman CS and Abraham Bowman expressions are released through both a lottery run by the distillery itself and Virginia ABC (generally also through a lottery, although not always in the past). The distillery has also put small quantities of the ASB CS out for sale in its gift shop at random throughout the past few years. Once the word goes out about this, they are inundated with flippers and people will generally start showing up at open for the following day or two until it stops. I believe these expressions also make it out to some number of other states, but both are quite limited. If you can believe it, among the first few releases of Abraham Bowman were actually single barrels picked by a store named The Party Source. They were high age and high proof bourbon and rye. The Abraham line has really fluctuated throughout the years, with lots of experimental finishes. But some of the releases have been incredible - the Sweet XVI wheated bourbon was special.

[Kepler]

On 4/21/2025 at 7:31 PM, MSB said:

* correction

 

In my area Isaac is not more than JJB.

 

I am still not sure I am a fan of finished bourbons. I do not care for the standard AE but I do like  the higher proofs from AE but not a fan of the prices the ask for them.

 

I've heard discouraging things about the port finished one (the "Isaac Bowman").  I've never tried that Bowman but in my experience with other port finishes they can be a bit hit or miss for me personally.  In the scotch world, port is one of my lesser favorite among the many cask options (although I do really like the Balvenie 21 Portwood).  With American whiskey the best port finishes I've tried have been with rye whiskey (not bourbon), HW Midwinter Night's Dram and Sagamore Port finishes ... both of which I love. 

 

But port finish on a bourbon just doesn't sound very good to me for some reason.   I've had Angel's Envy but it's been so many years I forgot what it tasted like.  I do recall that I enjoyed it, so maybe my thoughts about not liking port finish on a bourbon are way off base.

But I do remember I didn't care for the Barton 1792 Port, so my memory is probably associating with that one.

 

Edited April 23 by Kepler

[Richnimrod]

8 hours ago, Kepler said:

 

I've heard discouraging things about the port finished one (the "Isaac Bowman").  I've never tried that Bowman but in my experience with other port finishes they can be a bit hit or miss for me personally.  In the scotch world, port is one of my lesser favorite among the many cask options (although I do really like the Balvenie 21 Portwood).  With American whiskey the best port finishes I've tried have been with rye whiskey (not bourbon), HW Midwinter Night's Dram and Sagamore Port finishes ... both of which I love. 

 

But port finish on a bourbon just doesn't sound very good to me for some reason.   I've had Angel's Envy but it's been so many years I forgot what it tasted like.  I do recall that I enjoyed it, so maybe my thoughts about not liking port finish on a bourbon are way off base.

But I do remember I didn't care for the Barton 1792 Port, so my memory is probably associating with that one.

 

I pretty much agree with ya' about Port Finished Bourbons, Kepler.   They absolutely can be 'hit or miss'.   Generally (for me anyway) the 'miss' ones have been somewhere between a bit "over-seasoned" with the port finish to waaaay over the top (lookin' at you 1792!).   I can't speak to ryes with a port finished as I just haven't had enough experience with those.   

[NDN98]

I am a huge fan of Bowman products, but I do not like the Isaac Bowman.   It is way too sweet for me and tastes more like a cocktail than a finished bourbon.  With the exception of some "toasted" bourbons, I am generally not a fan of "finished" bourbons.

[MSB]

12 hours ago, Kepler said:

 

I've heard discouraging things about the port finished one (the "Isaac Bowman").  I've never tried that Bowman but in my experience with other port finishes they can be a bit hit or miss for me personally.  In the scotch world, port is one of my lesser favorite among the many cask options (although I do really like the Balvenie 21 Portwood).  With American whiskey the best port finishes I've tried have been with rye whiskey (not bourbon), HW Midwinter Night's Dram and Sagamore Port finishes ... both of which I love. 

 

But port finish on a bourbon just doesn't sound very good to me for some reason.   I've had Angel's Envy but it's been so many years I forgot what it tasted like.  I do recall that I enjoyed it, so maybe my thoughts about not liking port finish on a bourbon are way off base.

But I do remember I didn't care for the Barton 1792 Port, so my memory is probably associating with that one.

 

 

4 hours ago, Richnimrod said:

I pretty much agree with ya' about Port Finished Bourbons, Kepler.   They absolutely can be 'hit or miss'.   Generally (for me anyway) the 'miss' ones have been somewhere between a bit "over-seasoned" with the port finish to waaaay over the top (lookin' at you 1792!).   I can't speak to ryes with a port finished as I just haven't had enough experience with those.   

I feel the same about finished bourbons and ryes. The ryes can be very good, looking at you Sagamore. The HW older releases I have enjoyed, not so much on the last 2-3 yrs. Part of that could be the price hike it has taken but I found it not as delicious as 4+ yrs ago or more. 

 

I cannot think of a finished bourbon I own. I am sure I have some but none are coming to mind. Other than the toasted or dbl barreled style which are finished but not with a "flavor"  of some kind being "blended" in from a non bourbon barrel.