A Smith Bowman debuts Port-finished Bourbon

Sazerac’s A Smith Bowman Distillery has extended its spirits range with the launch of a Port-finished Bourbon that pays homage to an 18th century American solider.

A Smith Bowman Distillery has launched a Port-finished Bourbon

Isaac Bowman Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Barrels has been finished in a variety of Port barrels from across Virginia and from Portugal for between three to six months, depending on flavour, before being blended together.

The barrels were made using American oak and French limousin oak, with some barrels originating from Minnesota, Kentucky, Missouri, and Virginia.

Master distiller Brian Prewitt tasted the barrels every month to determine the optimum time to be emptied.

“The nose greets you with our characteristic cherry and baked apple but supplemented with jammy fruit notes and balanced with the enticing aroma of vanilla, brown spice, and toasted pecans,” said Prewitt.

He described the flavour as “bold and sweet with the toasty notes of French and American oak rounding out to a long smooth finish that pleasantly lingers on the palate.”

A portion of each batch will be held back for blending with the next batch to ensure consistency in flavour and colour going forward.

The expression is named after Isaac Bowman, the youngest of the Bowman Brothers, who was a soldier and Virginia militia officer in the American Revolutionary War.

He was at one point taken as a prisoner of war, but was able to escape before embarking on a two-year adventure and then returning home to Virginia. He then settled down at Fort Bowman Estate where he became a farmer and landowner.

Isaac Bowman Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Barrels will launch initially in Virginia only, followed by North Carolina and a few additional markets. It will be available at an RRP of US$39.99.