Abraham Bowman Double Barrel Bourbon 50%
Sazerac Company, Inc./A. Smith Bowman Distillery/ Tasted: July 2014
Nose: Opens with soft, buttery oak with a little corn and huge chunks of sweet, violet rye. Lightly earthy with a touch of sweet pruney dried fruit and light herbal rye notes. Juicy and dense aromas give the nose a serious wow factor. With time a little dark chocolate, liquorice and bbq smoke appears.
Palate: Strangely a little on the shy side and not as complex as the nose would suggest, although it has a lovely suppleness. Opening with liquorice tainted oak followed by edgy, dark rye spices. The tannins and alcohol build and it becomes quite drying.
Finish: Long and dry with the oily corn coming through with a touch of spice. Still pretty oaky and damn those tannins grip!
Conclusion: Ok, so the palate doesn’t quite have the complexity of the nose. But it’s a minor quibble!
Whisky According to Chris Whiskyman 