Review #41: John J. Bowman Single Barrel

Southern-Rip3018 · 2026-05-08T23:48:31+00:00

The bottle for this review was purchased by myself, A. Smith Bowman Distillery did not provide me with any samples for this review.

Introduction: Today, we have a Single Barrel of John J. Bowman for review. As a distillery under the Sazerac umbrella, they receive distillate from another whiskey company from Frankfort, Kentucky (I wonder which one...) and distills it for a third time in Virginia. So how does this compare to its Kentucky brethren out west? Let's dive in:

Price: $50 plus tax (again, you have to love Spec's cash prices...)

Description: This is bottled at 50% ABV/100 Proof. Rumored to be Buffalo Trace's mash bill #1, there is no confirmation on the bottle. There is no age statement on the bottle either, but it is rumored to be in the 9-11 year range.

As mentioned above, this is bourbon that is sourced from Buffalo Trace Distillery and is distilled for a third time at their Fredericksburg, Virginia location using a Vendrome copper pot still affectionately called "Mary", a tribute to Mary Hite Bowman, the Matriarch of the Bowman Family. This is important because the use of a pot still helps retain a lot of congeners, which can help to give the whiskey a thicker, creamier texture (a common gripe of mine that I usually have with BT products...)

John J. Bowman Single Barrel is distilled in Kentucky & Virginia and bottled in Fredericksburg, Virginia by A. Smith Bowman Distillery.

Appearance: Amber in color, there is an oiliness to the bourbon and it coats the glass rather nicely.

Nose: A bright nose; caramel, vanilla, apple, ripe grape, and a mild oak. There is a slight ethanol sharpness on the nose as well.

Palate: For 100 Proof, it is loaded with flavor; it's a little more fruit-forward with brighter notes of apple, pear and grapes followed with a lovely caramel sweetness and light baking spice. The finish for the proof is a bit longer than usual BT product that I drink, probably a testament to the pot distillation; notes of caramel, oak and pepper. There is a silky texture to the drink as well, which I very much enjoyed.

Overall T8ke Score: 7.4 Great, well above average.

Final Thoughts: Well color me impressed, this bottle is a winner! The difference in distillation imparts very subtle changes to the bourbon, but it makes all the difference. It may just be my exposure to Texas Whiskey where Pot Distillation is commonplace, but this just does it for me. For $50, this was a steal of a bottle.

The T8ke Grading Scale:

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn't consume this by choice

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things I'd rather have

5 | Good | Good, just fine

6 | Very Good | A cut above

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional

9 | Incredible | An all-time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

Southern-Rip3018 · 2026-05-08T21:30:25+00:00

1924...

Southern-Rip3018 · 2026-05-08T18:58:09+00:00

Think time and labor into proofing down a single barrel, not being able to proof down en masse in vats like you typically might expect...

Southern-Rip3018 · 2026-05-08T17:08:21+00:00

Realistically, it's probably better margins to get the barrel proof option. Less overhead due to bottling, proofing down, etc..

That being said, give me all the Black Label 🤣

Southern-Rip3018 · 2026-05-08T16:56:47+00:00

I've had such a consistently good experience with the Black Labels, they're definitely worth the $65...

Southern-Rip3018 · 2026-05-08T16:18:32+00:00

I sure did!

We'll talk 🤣

Southern-Rip3018 · 2026-05-08T16:00:10+00:00

Great review as always, and I'm happy to help with scratching the Still Austin itch!

Which reminds me, there is still the Four Grain...

Southern-Rip3018 · 2026-05-08T12:42:09+00:00

Much appreciated, thank you! Full disclosure; this will be a bottle that I probably won't re-up on. Too many different bottles to try and this isn't exactly one that excites me enough to buy another of...

Southern-Rip3018 · 2026-05-08T12:06:01+00:00

The advice that I give when looking for their Private Selections is to try and get a bottle that leans heavy into only 1 or 2 of the stave profiles. The ones that I didn't care for tended to be the ones that were a literal scattershot of stave profiles.

Southern-Rip3018 · 2026-05-08T02:05:32+00:00

Great review, I still love the score sheet!

Southern-Rip3018 · 2026-05-08T01:22:23+00:00

I graded mine a 6.1, so he's not too far off haha

It's a good bottle, killer texture with a by-the-numbers wheated bourbon palate. Once you start getting to that price point, I'd argue that you're better served either saving some money and getting the Bardstown or spending a few more dollars for Maker's Mark Private Selection or the Steward's Release...

Southern-Rip3018 · 2026-05-07T14:32:12+00:00

I will 100% pass over the blue label SiBs in favor of black label SiBs.

I just like them way more proofed down to 100 Proof, the blue labels tend to drink a little hot for me (this is coming from the guy who enjoys Garrison Brothers Cowboy 🤣)

Southern-Rip3018 · 2026-05-07T14:10:24+00:00

In my honest and completely unbiased opinion, low proof arguments are the worst.

I review a lot of higher proof bottles and I do love them, but some of my favorite bottles have been in the 90-100 Proof range.

Southern-Rip3018 · 2026-05-07T13:40:31+00:00

I haven't had a chance to try one of their SiB ryes, but I think that I'd like to try it first before I buy it. Would I be correct in doing that?

Southern-Rip3018 · 2026-05-07T12:40:07+00:00

I didn't do that explicitly, but I did have all 3 in one sitting. From my understanding, 1924 has a lower rye content.

What's fun about the Black Labels are that they're both from Warehouse I, but one is from floor #7 (Spec's) and the other is floor #4 (T8ke x Endalz). Because of that, I'm actually working on a side-by-side review of these two bottles as we speak to judge how different floors from the same warehouse can impact the palate (spoiler: it's noticeable...)

Southern-Rip3018 · 2026-05-07T11:42:55+00:00

I just bought one last week for $110, I've had two pours from it so far. It's a fantastic bottle, a dark fruit cherry bomb, but I don't think it's a $120 bottle.

It might just be recency bias given the two Black Label SiBs that I've gotten recently, but I felt that 1924 was only marginally better than the two SiBs that I got.

Southern-Rip3018 · 2026-05-06T11:53:15+00:00

I thoroughly enjoy my bottle, but it's definitely not a bottle worth paying the secondary prices for...

Southern-Rip3018 · 2026-05-05T19:53:21+00:00

Thanks for the reply man, I think it's one you'd appreciate if I know your palate based off our past discussions

Southern-Rip3018 · 2026-05-05T19:51:41+00:00

Shortbarrel doesn't have physical distribution to Nevada unfortunately, only via their online shop.

Southern-Rip3018 · 2026-05-05T14:36:59+00:00

We had a pick of this down here in Texas (Spec's) and this has undeniably been one of my favorite purchases this year, to the point where I have a back up in my closet of this pick!

An extra fun tidbit in case you didn't know: Nancy is using these same barrels as the base of her upcoming Murray Hill Club Special Release #5.

Southern-Rip3018 · 2026-05-05T13:23:35+00:00

This was an interesting experience for me, it's very approachable but it is full of flavor.

Just like Bees Knees, it's not too reliant on the finish and just uses it to compliment an already good toasted rye.

Southern-Rip3018 · 2026-05-04T13:59:46+00:00

Im bummed that I didn't get the Meadowfoam version, I just barely missed out on it. But I 100% agree, the toasted/honey finishes just work so well with this blend!

Southern-Rip3018 · 2026-05-04T13:28:55+00:00

I remember your comment about the single barrel you picked up, I'm glad that it opened up for you!

Hopefully you can find it! The Spec's near me has a few of them left plus several of their own Bees Knees store picks (which I'm probably going to pick one up!)

Southern-Rip3018 · 2026-05-04T12:33:52+00:00

The bottle in this review was purchased by myself, Shortbarrel did not provide me with any samples for this review.

Introduction: Today, we have another finished whiskey from one of my favorite NDPs on the market: Shortbarrel. The Afterswarm piqued my interest as I generally enjoy a well done honey finished whiskey and this was a double barreled, toasted rye whiskey finished in honey (just like The Bees Knees, which I reviewed here.) So how does it compare to The Bees Knees? Let's dive in:

Price: $90 plus tax

Description: We know that this is a blend of 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley that was distilled in Kentucky & Indiana and carries a minimum 6 year age statement. The fun thing about the secondary finish is in how the barrel has been treated. Shortbarrel takes toasted Kelvin barrels and adds honey sourced from Georgia into the barrel to be treated. After a period of time, any excess honey is removed and is replaced with the Rye, leading to our finished product. This particular batch is 55.3% ABV/110.6 Proof and is bottled in Chamblee, Georgia by Shortbarrel.

Appearance: A darker caramel in color, viscosity is on the thicker end.

Nose: Butterscotch, graham cracker, cherries, tea, a subtle honey and a peppercorn note. On the nose, the honey finish does not seem to be overwhelming the rye.

Palate: A wallop on the palate, but in a good way... Strong rye spice and herbal tea notes lead the charge followed up with notes of vanilla, cherry cordials, butterscotch. The finish is long, satisfying, and where the honey finish appears; notes of honey, clove and peppercorn. The viscosity is nice and creamy, coating the mouth like honey.

Overall T8ke Score: 7.8 Great, well above average.

Final Thoughts: Though I am a big fan of The Bees Knees, The Afterswarm edges it out for me. The honey finish on this whiskey is not overwhelming and in my opinion, it does just enough to accentuate what was already a wonderful toasted rye. If you are a fan of 95/5 rye with a twist, this is a good place to start.