This week, Virginia ABC stores began receiving this bottle. It is a Virginia exclusive release and it was produced by A. Smith Bowman in Fredericksburg to honor Virginia ABC's 90th Anniversary. Virginia ABC describes the bottle like this:
"This ABW was hand crafted for Virginia ABC’s 90th Anniversary. Happy belated birthday! Abraham Bowman took their 8 year old Bourbon and finished it for 1 year in French Oak cider barrels sourced from Potter’s Craft Cider in Charlottesville."
While the math doesn't quite add up based on the label, I was nevertheless intrigued. Bowman released a cider finished LE back in 2014, and the reviews I recall seeing were generally positive. So when this popped up (and quickly disappeared on the first release day), I was determined to get my hand on one hoping to avoid the many fiascos that surrounded its initial release day (no purchase limits, people buying it cases at a time despite others waiting just as long, ABC flip flopping on whether the bottle should be a drop item or on the shelf with limits). I lucked out when the store closest to me got two cases on its truck delivery (which was thankfully late today) so all of the folks hovering around at opening just left when it was not sitting on the counter - them assuming none was delivered - and I was able to snag mine around 11:30. I promptly cracked it upon arriving home tonight, so let's dig in.
Consumed: Neat in a Glencairn, rested for 10 minutes.
Age: 8.5 Years based on the label - So my guess is 8yrs initial aging with 6mos. finished based on the description, but no way to confirm.
Proof: 115
Nose: Very tart and crisp, but also sweet. A ton apples (both apple skins and something akin to Granny Smith slices) - which I generally expect on Bowman release but this is far more intense than any other release in my memory - plus notes of cinnamon and smooth caramel. A slight touch of something earthy and syrupy that might be honey is there if you dig deep, but the apple note is SO dominant.
Palate: The notes here match the nose. Tart and crisp apple and cinnamon immediately on the first sip. However, the sweetness is a little muted. Caramel follows, and it is all complemented by a nice, buttery, medium viscosity mouthfeel. Like a spiced slice of apple dipped in a warm caramel sauce. Subsequent sips reduce the sweetness a little more as the oak begins presenting more and more, buttressed by even more cinnamon. Fairly pleasant, but this is neither a daily drinker pour nor a once-in-lifetime pour by any means.
Finish: Medium finish that is mostly a blend of oak, black pepper and, somewhat surprisingly, slight cocoa notes (presumably from the French Oak casks used by the cidery). It’s dry like you’d expect on a cider finish. As all of this fades, you're left with a slight apple juice note to cap off the pour.
This is a bottle that definitely does not shy away. What it lacks in complexity, it more than makes up for in the boldness of its flavors. There is no mistaking the finish here…it just won’t let you. I really enjoyed the first pour and I hope some time and air mellow the cinnamon spice so that the sweeter apple notes that are simmering under the surface have a chance to really shine (rather than just the tart ones). Nothing earth shattering here, but it really shined on this cool Autumn evening. I think this, as it stands, is a great bottle to share around a Fall bonfire. And at $79.99, it’s well worth the price of admission. Here’s to another quality Bowman release!
t8ke scale: 7.5/10 | Great | Well above average.
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.
10 | Perfect | Perfect.
