A. Smith Bowman Bowman Brothers Small Batch

The A. Smith Bowman Distillery in Fredericksburg, Virginia, has been owned by the Sazerac Company in New Orleans since 2003. A. Smith Bowman was a family distillery active since the 1930s known primarily for Virginia Gentleman Bourbon, which is currently being phased out. The Bowman-named bourbon brands, which debuted in 2011, consist of Bowman Brothers Small Batch 45% ABV, John J. Bowman Single Barrel 50% ABV, and Abraham Bowman, which is a variable special-release whiskey. The reviewed bottle belongs to my sister, has been open for 5 months, and is 95% full. A. Smith Bowman whiskeys are initially distilled at the Buffalo Trace Distillery, trucked to Bowman, then redistilled at Bowman and aged there. There is no age statement on Bowman Brothers Small Batch, but there is the statement "aged many years". My estimate is that the average age of the whiskey is 8 to 10 years old

Nose: highly perfumed, floral, and with sweet maple, vanilla, and natural caramel prominent. There is nice spicy rye here from Buffalo Trace Mash Bill # 2. The intensity is moderate. This is mellow and very pleasant. Water added homogenised the flavours and is very nice. Score: 22.5/25

Taste: lots of additional wood spice presents on the delivery. Otherwise the palate is a good translation of the nose. Water added brings out bass pitch oak notes and spices. Score: 22/25

Finish: medium to long in length; the flavours stay the same and gradually diminish. Water brings out sourness on the finish, which is not a good thing. Score: 21.5/25

Balance: good balance throughout the tasting stages. You have to be in the "mellow/gentle" bourbon mood to maximally enjoy this one, similar to the mood which most appreciates Col. E. H. Taylor Small Batch Bourbon, another whiskey initially distilled at the Buffalo Trace Distillery. Score: 21.5/25

Total Sequential Score: 87.5/100 points

Strength: adequate but gentle strength of flavours. Score: 21.5/25

Quality: very good quality of flavours throughout. Score: 22.5/25

Variety: good to very good variety throughout. Score: 21.5/25

Harmony: good to very good harmony of flavours. Score: 21.5/25

Total Non-Sequential Score: 87/100 points

Comment: Bowman Brothers Small Batch is for the mellow mood when you want subtlety and complexity without high intensity. It is good for that. Jim Murray scored this one at 90 points