John J. Bowman 10 Year Old Single Barrel "Inaugural" 100 Proof Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey 750mL

Winner of the ‘World’s Best Bourbon’ in 2017 at the World Whisky Awards

For those who don’t know, the A. Smith Bowman Distillery is owned by Sazerac (the same company that owns Buffalo Trace Distillery).

A. Smith Bowman Distillery is based in Virginia and is constantly experimenting with new ideas, striving to create the best-tasting bourbon in the world. Their core line of bourbons is the result of years of honing their craft. These three bourbons are nationally recognised and awarded as some of the finest bourbons ever produced.

We were very excited when we were first presented with the opportunity by Sazerac Australia to bring this incredible whiskey to Australian shores for the first time. This is how we came up with the name 'Inaugural.'

Unlike most bourbons, this whisky is triple-distilled. Their sister distillery in Kentucky (think of a large distillery in Kentucky owned by Sazerac) handles the initial fermentation and two primary distillations. Then, the distillate is sent to the A. Smith Bowman Distillery, where it undergoes a third distillation before being put in a barrel. This whisky is distilled three times prior to entering the barrel, which gives it a softer, more floral note.

The exact mashbill they use is still shrouded in mystery. There are numerous rumours circulating online about the mashbill they use for their bourbons (some say it’s BT’s Mashbill #1 (Colonel EH) or #2 (Blanton’s), or even a custom blend of both). However, the official mashbill remains undisclosed.

“This barrel was triple-distilled and entered a new charred American White Oak barrel on January 7, 2015. It spent the majority of its life in our Warehouse A1, which is below grade and doesn’t experience as much temperature fluctuation as our other warehouses. This leads to slower ageing and a more delicate taste profile. It was dumped on May 6, 2025, making it almost 10 years and 5 months old.” – David Bock, Master Distiller at A. Smith Bowman Distillery

Usually the John J. Bowman single barrel's are aged between 9-10 years so we were very lucky to get one that is over 10 years old.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: A sweet, desserty nose that’s incredibly inviting. Brown sugar and plenty of fruit, with lots of cherry and grape. There’s also creaming soda and a generous amount of vanilla. It’s thick in the glass too—just a few quick swirls, and it hugs the sides. Unmistakably a Buffalo Trace nose—think Blanton’s and EHT mixed.

Palate: A great reflection of the nose. Lots of caramel, vanilla, and dark honey initially, balanced by the oak from the ageing. When it hits the palate, it’s a fruit bomb—lots of syrupy cherry, backed by a nice baking spice. Luxardo cocktail cherries, Dr. Pepper, and cherry cobbler come to mind. It’s a thick whisky with plenty of texture. 50% feels like the perfect proof for this.

Finish: Long-lasting—this one sticks around. The fruit drops away, and the vanilla, oak, spice, and a little tobacco shine through. It strikes the perfect balance of proof, flavour, and drinkability, with a harmonious interplay of spice, oak, and fruit.