John J Bowman Single Barrel, crowned “World’s Best Bourbon” in 2017, shows evidence of Virginia’s bourbon craftsmanship. This exceptional spirit goes through a triple distillation process. Buffalo Trace handles the first two distillations, and A. Smith Bowman Distillery completes the final refinement.

Most bourbon lovers chase popular Buffalo Trace products like Blanton’s and E.H. Taylor, but this hidden gem has a complex flavor profile with toffee, leather, figs, and almond notes. The bourbon ages between 9-10 years and comes bottled at 100 proof. At $69, it delivers exceptional quality that makes this Virginia-born bourbon special, and I’ll explore all these qualities in this review.

The Fascinating History Behind John J Bowman Single Barrel

John J. Bowman bourbon pays tribute to a true American pioneer – the great-great uncle of Abram Smith Bowman. His vision led to what would become Virginia’s longest-running distillery. The story starts well before the first whiskey drop touched a barrel.

The Bowman family legacy in Virginia

The Bowman story dates back to the American Revolutionary War. John J., Abraham, Joseph, and Isaac Bowman served as Virginia militia officers. They led 30 pioneer families to Kentucky and built Bowman’s Station in 1779. John J. Bowman made history as Kentucky’s first military commander and governor. His pioneering spirit and leadership later inspired one of Virginia’s most celebrated bourbons.

From Sunset Hills farm to modern distillery

The distillery’s roots trace back to 1927. Abram Smith Bowman bought the vast 7,200-acre Sunset Hills farm in Fairfax County, Virginia. He started with a dairy and granary operation. His fields proved so productive that he ended up with extra grain.

The end of Prohibition opened a new chance. Abram built a groundbreaking distillery on his farmland in 1934 and turned it into a family business. A. Smith Bowman Distillery became the first and only legal whiskey distillery in Virginia after Prohibition. It managed to keep this status until the 1950s.

Abram’s sons A. Smith Bowman Jr. and DeLong took over after his death in 1952. The Bowman brothers sold the property to real estate developer Robert E. Simon in 1961. The 7,000-acre land later became the planned community of Reston.

Sazerac’s acquisition and continued tradition

Development pressure pushed the distillery to move to Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania County in 1988. The new location sat about 60 miles from the original site. They set up shop in what used to be an FMC Corp. cellophane plant.

The Sazerac Company bought A. Smith Bowman Distillery in 2003. Under Sazerac’s guidance, the distillery stayed true to its quality standards while honoring its rich history. Their dedication earned them the “World’s Best Bourbon” award in 2016 and 2017.

John J Bowman Single Barrel now leads the distillery’s bourbon lineup. Master Distiller Brian Prewitt carries on the Bowman tradition of excellence. His work brought more recognition, including “America’s Best Non-Kentucky Single Barrel Bourbon” in 2020.

Inside the Unique Triple Distillation Process

Triple distillation rarely happens in bourbon production, yet it’s what makes John J Bowman Single Barrel stand out. This unique method creates a spirit that beautifully blends Kentucky tradition with Virginia’s state-of-the-art approach.

Buffalo Trace connection explained

This bourbon’s story starts at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky. John J Bowman isn’t fully made in Virginia, which surprises many people. The new make spirit comes from Buffalo Trace Distillery where it goes through its first two distillations. The bourbon shares its DNA with other celebrated Buffalo Trace products. Sources point to the distillate coming from Buffalo Trace’s #1 mashbill. This creates a fascinating link between Virginia bourbon and Kentucky’s bourbon heritage.

The trip to Virginia

The high-wine distillate heads to A. Smith Bowman Distillery in Fredericksburg, Virginia after its original distillations in Kentucky. Most distilleries handle their entire process in one place, which makes this move between states unusual. This movement of partially distilled spirit shows a unique collaborative effort between these two Sazerac-owned distilleries.

Mary: The copper pot still that makes the difference

The spirit meets “Mary” in Virginia – the distillery’s historic copper pot still named after John Bowman’s mother. This 2,000-gallon copper vessel serves as the life-blood of what makes this bourbon special. The distillery also runs a newer 500-gallon hybrid pot still named “George”, though Mary handles the John J Bowman production. Copper plays a vital role by reacting with boiling alcohol to remove sulfur compounds while boosting fruity esters.

How triple distillation affects bourbon character

Triple distillation transforms the bourbon’s profile. The process typically yields higher alcohol content while reducing congeners (flavor compounds). This creates a spirit that tastes lighter and smoother. The extra copper contact during the third pass through Mary brings out fruity notes while removing unwanted elements. This extra refinement step can get pricey, but results in exceptional complexity and smoothness at 100 proof.

Tasting Notes: Decoding John J Bowman’s Flavor Profile

A glass of John J Bowman Single Barrel offers a sensory experience that highlights its unique character and craftsmanship. The sort of thing I love about this award-winning spirit is how its taste profile reveals the true magic behind it.

Appearance and first impressions

John J Bowman Single Barrel shows off a captivating copper to amber hue that signals its extensive aging. The bourbon’s color depth comes from its time in new charred oak barrels. The liquid leaves elegant, slow-moving legs on the glass when swirled – evidence of its 100 proof bottling strength.

Nose: Vanilla, caramel, and beyond

Sweet caramel, vanilla, and honey dominate the aromatic profile. In spite of that, John J Bowman stands out with its unfolding complexity. Baked bread and toasted oak are the foundations, while green apple adds an unexpected fruity brightness[141]. Toffee, chocolate, and dried fruit notes create remarkable depth[141]. Many bourbon lovers compare it to Buffalo Trace products, especially Eagle Rare, which makes sense given their shared distillate origins.

Palate: The full flavor experience

The bourbon coats your palate with a rich, creamy mouthfeel. Butterscotch, brown sugar, and vanilla lead the flavor experience. These sweet notes transition into complex flavors of malted chocolate, oak, and subtle corn syrup sweetness. Cinnamon and nutmeg spices create excellent balance. The triple distillation gives this substantial proof bourbon a remarkably smooth character.

Finish: What lingers and why

A long and warming finish showcases this bourbon’s quality. Sweet oak and baking spices take the lead before subtle hints of dark chocolate and leather emerge. The 9-10 years of aging brings noticeable oak presence without crossing into bitterness. Pleasant vanilla notes linger long after each sip, making you reach for another taste. This balanced, flavorful finish captures the essence of John J Bowman Single Barrel – a really satisfying bourbon without pretense.

Virginia’s Influence on Aging and Character

Virginia’s terroir shapes the final character of John J Bowman Single Barrel. Most bourbons age completely in Kentucky, but this spirit gets its final touches in Virginia’s distinct climate.

Climate differences between Kentucky and Virginia

The humid, subtropical climate of Virginia creates a different aging environment than Kentucky’s conditions. John J Bowman matures in a brick warehouse in Virginia’s Tidewater region, which has its own humidity and temperature patterns. The temperature changes speed up the bourbon’s aging compared to Kentucky’s milder climate.

The bourbon interacts more with the barrels during hot Virginia summers. The liquid expands into the wood and contracts when it cools, which pulls out more flavor. Local distillers call this “agitation by freedom” – a nod to both the natural climate cycles and the vibrations from Navy jets flying nearby.

Warehouse conditions and barrel selection

A. Smith Bowman Distillery ages its spirits in warehouses without temperature control. This lets nature’s seasons work their magic on the spirit. It’s a calculated risk since just six more months in these conditions can change a bourbon’s character. The team picks each barrel by hand and looks for perfect flavor development instead of following strict aging timeframes.

The facility’s master distillers taste from each barrel to decide when it’s ready. They look for rich toffee, leather, fig, and almond notes that make John J Bowman Single Barrel special.

The 9-10 year sweet spot

The bourbon doesn’t show its age on the label, but it usually ages 9-10 years before bottling. This extra time lets Virginia’s climate leave its mark on the spirit. Recent limited editions aged exactly 9 years and 11 months, which shows the distillery’s sweet spot for aging.

This long aging process shows how conditions affect bourbon’s character. John J Bowman shares its distillate roots with Buffalo Trace products like Eagle Rare, but Virginia’s aging environment creates something completely different. That’s why it earned its “World’s Best Bourbon” title.

Conclusion

John J Bowman Single Barrel proves American bourbon craftsmanship at its finest, combining Kentucky’s tradition with Virginia’s breakthroughs. My deep dive into this bourbon confirms why it earned the “World’s Best Bourbon” title. At $69, it delivers exceptional value.

This bourbon shares its roots with Buffalo Trace’s celebrated products. Virginia’s climate and the unique triple distillation process create something special. You’ll discover rich layers in every sip – sweet caramel and vanilla lead the way, while leather and fig notes linger softly. Serious bourbon lovers should add this to their must-try list.

Sazerac now carefully guides the Bowman family’s legacy forward. Master Distiller Brian Prewitt maintains the high standards that brought this bourbon its prestigious awards. His careful barrel selection and aging methods show in every bottle.

My complete examination of John J Bowman Single Barrel shows this Virginia-born bourbon deserves more recognition. It’s nowhere near as well-known as other Buffalo Trace offerings, yet it matches or even surpasses their quality. Bourbon enthusiasts who appreciate refined complexity will find this especially rewarding.