Bowman Brothers Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey
Bowman Brothers Small Batch is a 750ml Virginia straight bourbon at 90 proof (45% ABV), triple-distilled in copper at the A. Smith Bowman Distillery in Fredericksburg, Virginia — with the final distillation run through a copper still named Mary. It honors the Bowman brothers, early American pioneers who helped settle the Shenandoah Valley and parts of Kentucky.
Founded in 1935 just after Prohibition (and moved from Fairfax to Fredericksburg in 1988), A. Smith Bowman ages this bourbon in new charred American oak, marrying a limited selection of barrels for each small batch. The triple distillation gives it a remarkable smoothness and clarity — an approachable, polished whiskey that drinks well above its price. Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and 1st Place at the International Whisky Competition back up the reputation.
Tasting notes: Caramelized apple and toasted nuts on the nose; a smooth palate of vanilla, toffee, light caramel, and gentle rye spice; a mellow, slightly dry finish with warm spice and sweet corn.
How to serve: Neat or with a splash of water to highlight the delicate spice; it also shines in a Manhattan, Boulevardier, or Mint Julep.
Frequently asked questions:
What makes Virginia bourbon different? Climate and craft. Virginia's aging environment and Bowman's triple-distillation tradition give this bourbon a smoother, more refined profile than many Kentucky counterparts.
Why triple distill bourbon? A third pass through the still removes more impurities and produces a cleaner, smoother spirit — the same logic behind triple-distilled Irish whiskey.
Is Bowman Brothers related to Buffalo Trace? The distillery's master distiller Truman Cox refined his craft at Buffalo Trace, and both make fine bourbon — but A. Smith Bowman is its own historic Virginia distillery, operating since 1935.
