A. Smith Bowman Drops a New Cask-Strength Bourbon
A. Smith Bowman, the Virginia sister distillery to Kentucky’s much more famous Buffalo Trace, just announced that it will release the latest batch of its limited-edition cask-strength bourbon on Monday. This is the fifth batch of this whiskey to date, and like previous releases it skirts the boundary of hazmat without actually stepping over to the scorching side. And also like past releases, it’s available via an online lottery, and we have the details.
A quick reminder: A. Smith Bowman distills onsite, but some of the whiskey produced there is actually first distilled at Buffalo Trace or another Sazerac distillery, and then shipped to Virginia to be re-distilled and aged. According to a rep for the brand, this whiskey was distilled at another unnamed distillery first, and then ultimately distilled twice more before aging. And that last step is what often contributes to these really high-proof barrels.
Last year, master distiller Brian Prewitt told Robb Report that the Commonwealth’s hot, humid summers and mild winters mean that more water evaporates as part of the angel’s share than alcohol. To see the effects of this, consider the proofs of past Cask Strength releases: Batch 4 was bottled at 139.7 proof, Batch 3 at 135.1, and Batch 2 entered hazmat territory at 144.5 proof (above 140 proof, the FAA says that whiskey is unsafe to bring onboard an aircraft). This year’s release, Batch 5, clocks in 137.6 proof, which is strong but somewhere in the mid-range for this annual release, and like past expressions it was aged for ten years and bottled uncut and unfiltered.
“Each edition of Cask Strength refined our understanding of what bourbon lovers expect from this release—high-proof intensity paired with remarkable drinkability,” said A. Smith Bowman distiller David Bock in a statement. “Achieving this requires patience and precision in selecting barrels that deliver the perfect balance. We are confident Cask Strength #5 carries forward this reputation with unmatched flavor.” We did not yet receive a sample to try, but the official tasting notes describe aromas of candied apples and a hint of smoke on the nose, followed by notes of ripe plums, cherries, and sweet florals on the palate, with a warm and lingering finish (that, presumably, involves a bit of heat).
As mentioned earlier, A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength Bourbon #5 will initially be available via an online lottery which starts on February 16 at 12 pm EST and ends on February 23 at 12 pm EST. You can enter wherever you are, but if you are selected for a chance to purchase a bottle (SRP $100) on February 25, you have until March 15 to pick it up in person at the distillery’s gift shop. A limited number of bottles will also be available through the Sazerac distribution network at select bars and retailers around the country.
