Isaac Bowman Pioneer Spirit is a port barrel finished straight bourbon from A. Smith Bowman Distillery, a small, historic craft distillery in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and a sister operation to the famed Buffalo Trace under the Sazerac umbrella. The Bowman family was among America's earliest pioneers, and this bottling is named for Isaac Bowman, a Virginia militia officer in the American Revolutionary War and the youngest of the Bowman brothers. Copper distilled in small batches, the bourbon is first aged for roughly four and a half to five and a half years in new charred American white oak barrels, then finished for three to six months in used ruby port barrels sourced from both Virginia wineries and Portugal, crafted from American and French Limousin oak. The finished whiskeys are then married together in a large oak foeder using a modified solera style process, ensuring consistency from batch to batch. It is produced in the same fashion as the distillery's acclaimed Abraham Bowman port finished bourbon, which was named World's Best Bourbon in 2016. The result is a plush, dessert like bourbon where the port influence adds depth without overpowering the spirit. Expect a rusty amber pour with a winey, fruit forward nose of ripe cherry, stewed fruit, mocha, and cinnamon, a soft, jammy palate of caramel dipped cherry, raisin, plum, light molasses, and warm baking spice, and a smooth, gently drying finish with dried fruit and oak. Bottled at an easy sipping 92 proof and decorated with numerous international awards, it is an elegant, distinctive pour, lovely neat after dinner or in a fruit forward Manhattan. A rewarding change of pace for the curious bourbon drinker.
ABV / Proof
| Distillery |
A. Smith Bowman Distillery, Fredericksburg, Virginia |
| Producer |
Sazerac Company |
| Category |
Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey (port barrel finished) |
| Expression |
Isaac Bowman Pioneer Spirit, Port Barrel Finished, Small Batch |
| Age |
No Age Statement (approximately 4.5 to 5.5 years base maturation) |
| Maturation |
New Charred American White Oak, then finished 3 to 6 months in used ruby port barrels (Virginia and Portugal) |
| ABV |
46% |
| Proof |
92 |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
Tasting Notes
Color: Rusty amber.
Nose: Winey and fruit forward, with ripe cherry, stewed fruit, mocha, and cinnamon.
Palate: Soft and jammy, with caramel dipped cherry, raisin, plum, light molasses, and warm baking spice.
Finish: Smooth and gently drying, with dried fruit and oak.
FAQ
What is Isaac Bowman? It is a Virginia straight bourbon finished in port barrels, made by A. Smith Bowman Distillery in Fredericksburg, Virginia, a sister distillery to Buffalo Trace. It is named for Isaac Bowman, a Revolutionary War officer and the youngest Bowman brother.
How is it finished? After aging around four and a half to five and a half years in new charred American oak, it is finished for three to six months in used ruby port barrels from Virginia wineries and Portugal, then married in an oak foeder.
What proof is it? It is bottled at 92 proof, or 46 percent ABV.
Is it a flavored whiskey? No. It is a genuine straight bourbon given a secondary maturation in port barrels. The port influence comes from the wood, not from added flavoring.
How does it relate to the World's Best Bourbon? It is made in the same fashion as the distillery's Abraham Bowman port finished bourbon, which was named World's Best Bourbon in 2016.
Where can I buy Isaac Bowman Port Barrel Finished online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
