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A. Smith Bowman Distillery 'John J. Bowman' Pioneer Spirit Single Barrel Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey 750ml

Product information

$129.96
Product photo of A. Smith Bowman Distillery 'John J. Bowman' Pioneer Spirit Single Barrel Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey 750ml
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Product Description

Limited Edition Copper Distilled Hand Selected at Peak Maturity by Our Master Distiller, Brain Prewitt Early pioneer Colonel John J. Bowman first explored Kentucky in 1775. Four years later, he moved his family to Lincoln County where they were among the earliest settlers of Kentucky. He later presided over Kentucky's first county court and was also appointed the first military commander and military governor of Kentucky County. He was made the great, great uncle of Abram Smith Bowman, founder of the A. Smith Bowman Distillery. This single barrel bourbon whiskey commemorates the early pioneer John J. Bowman.

Product Specs

Alcohol by Volume50.0%
Country of OriginUnited States
UPC080996002752

Shipping

Ships to most states from California. Securely packaged and sealed, we have delivered over 10,000 packages safely to happy customers all around the USA.

Returns

It is against the law in the state of California to accept returns on alcohol except for defective or spoiled items. If there is an issue with the order, we will make it right 100% guaranteed.

Awards & Scores

Critic reviews and blind-tasting competition results for this bottle.

What critics and judges wrote

IWSC judges · Gold · 2025
A delightful bouquet of floral and herbal notes, intertwined with spicy wood and hints of tropical and stone fruits. The creamy palate showcases a slightly herbal and peppery essence with a touch of bitterness. Midway, caramel, and vanilla custard emerge.
Read the judges' note on iwsc.net
Show 4 more notes, 2018 to 2021
Bronze2021iwsc.net ↗
Clean sweet almonds and oak spice with youthful depth and noteworthy cask influence on finish.
Silver2020iwsc.net ↗
A sweet oak character with good fruit on the palate. Well-balanced with great flavour intensity. A stylish and well-crafted example.
Silver2019iwsc.net ↗
Custard, toffee and bold spice on the palate. Big fruit cocktails, red fruits, oaky - spiced wood and some vanilla and lavender notes.
Silver Outstanding2018iwsc.net ↗
Lightly toasted almonds are the first thing on the nose … The palate is oily and rich with a note of vanilla pods and some toasted sour dough bread. On the finish the notes are lingering and warm.
Beverage Testing Institute · October 2016
See the review on tastings.com
Whisky Advocate · John Hansell · 2012
Gritty and gripping on the palate, showing dry, vibrant oak spice (particularly warming cinnamon and mouth-coating vanilla), but with candied fruit, toffee, pot still rum, and caramel-coated nuts to keep it interesting. Polished leather and tobacco on the finish.
Read the full review on whiskyadvocate.com
Distiller · Dennis Gobis
Obvious hints of vanilla, toffee and caramel are coupled with a faint leather and ripe black fig aroma. … The finish is medium long and for the most part very dry.
Read the full review on distiller.com
World Whiskies Awards judges · Category Winner · 2020
Fruit cake, caramel and vanilla on the nose. Stewed stone fruit and cherries on the palate. A dry, hot finish, sweet and spicy with orange and cherry notes.
Read the judges' note on worldwhiskiesawards.com
Show 1 more note, 2021
Bronze2021worldwhiskiesawards.com ↗
On the nose there is fresh green apple and smooth honey. Then on the palate there is more honey and apple, with some fiery baking spice and heat on the finish.

Competition medals

International Spirits Challenge
Gold 2026Gold 2025Gold 2022Gold 2021Gold 2020
IWSC
Gold 2025 · 95 ptsBronze 2021Silver 2020Silver 2019Silver Outstanding 2018Silver 2017
San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Silver 2025Double Gold 2022
World Whiskies Awards
Bronze 2022Bronze 2021Category Winner 2020Bronze 2018

17 medals from 4 competitions, 2017 to 2026.

Tasting Notes

Flavor profile

How strongly each flavor family shows up across 12 notes from 5 publications, weighted by source.

  • Herbal & greenwhiff of Ceylon tea, Delicate sage and rose water, delicate rose note, A floral hint of wildflowers, herbal drynessLight
  • Fruitycandied fruit, faint ripe black fig, Orange oils, Candied orange, Glace cherryClear
  • Sweetmouth-coating vanilla, toffee, caramel-coated nuts, vanilla, toffee and caramelClear
  • Oak & maltvibrant oak spice, caramel-coated nuts, much more wood up front, rich woody notes, Freshly baked cornbreadClear
  • SmokeA hint
  • Spicedry, vibrant oak spice, warming cinnamon, ginger cake with plenty of cinnamon, ginger segments with cinnamonClear

Flavor map

A. Smith Bowman Distillery 'John J. Bowman' Pioneer Spirit Single Barrel against other bourbons we carry. Closer dots taste more alike.

← More delicateRicher →Less smokySmokier →A. Smith Bowman Distillery'John J. Bowman' PioneerSpirit Single BarrelWyomingWhiskey DoubleCaskKentucky OwlTakumi EditionWidow Jane 10 Year Old

Closest bourbons at a similar price: Wyoming Whiskey Double Cask ($79.98), Kentucky Owl Takumi Edition ($149.96), and Widow Jane 10 Year Old ($79.98).

Show the map as a list

Each whisky's place on the map, from 0 to 10.

WhiskyRichSmokyPrice
A. Smith Bowman Distillery 'John J. Bowman' Pioneer Spirit Single Barrel (this bottle)5.81.0$129.96
Wyoming Whiskey Double Cask5.81.2$79.98
George T. Stagg5.70.8$949.96
Buffalo Trace Distillery5.81.3$21.97
Kentucky Owl Takumi Edition5.80.7$149.96
Knob Creek Small Batch 9 Year Old5.50.9$36.97
Michter's 10 Year Old Single Barrel5.50.9$379.96
Widow Jane 10 Year Old5.50.9$79.98
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel5.51.2$54.97
Michter's US-1 Limited Release Toasted Barrel Finish Sour Mash5.51.2$399.96
FEW 93 Proof5.40.9$49.98
Old Ezra Brooks 7 Years Old Barrel Strength6.20.9$99.96
Hancocks Presidents Reserve Single Barrel5.60.6$99.96
W. L. Weller 'Old Weller Antique 107' Wheated6.21.2$139.96
Maker's Mark5.40.7$26.97
New Riff Bottled in Bond5.50.6$39.96
1792 Single Barrel5.70.5$42.96
W. L. Weller Special Reserve Wheated5.70.5$69.96
Woodinville Whiskey Co. Moscatel Finish6.30.9$119.96
Kentucky Owl 'Confiscated'5.60.5$149.96
W. L. Weller C.Y.P.B. - Craft Your Perfect Bourbon The Original Wheated6.00.5$499.96
The Clover Single Barrel6.30.7$54.98
John E. Fitzgerald Larceny Kentucky Straight Small Batch5.80.4$26.97
Blood Oath5.20.9$599.96
Johnny Drum 'Private Stock'5.71.6$59.98
Booker's6.00.4$99.96
Baker's 7 Year Old6.40.7$69.96

Flavor scores are our estimates. A flavor scores higher when more critics mention it and when they describe it more strongly, so no single review sets the result. They are not a rating from any publication.

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