The Story
135.1 proof. Uncut. Unfiltered. A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength Batch 3 — Virginia straight bourbon at high-proof barrel strength from one of the East Coast's oldest and most respected distilleries.
A. Smith Bowman Distillery was founded in 1935 in Sunset Hills, Virginia and relocated to Fredericksburg in 1988 — one of the oldest distilleries on the East Coast and one of very few Virginia bourbon producers. The Cask Strength program is the apex of Bowman's production: individual batches of Virginia straight bourbon bottled at natural barrel proof without dilution or filtration.
Batch 3 at 135.1 proof is between the Batch 2 (144.5 proof — the most extreme batch in the series) and a more typical cask-strength proof point. At 135.1, Batch 3 delivers the full intensity of Virginia straight bourbon at barrel strength while being slightly more approachable than Batch 2's extraordinary 144.5. Both are currently in the Wooden Cork inventory, making them a rare companion pair from the same Virginia cask-strength program at two different proof points.
Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Very deep amber from Virginia straight bourbon at barrel strength.
- Nose: Rich caramel, vanilla, and grain spice at 135.1 proof intensity.
- Palate: Bold and concentrated — the full Virginia straight bourbon character at natural barrel proof.
- Finish: Long and warming — the barrel strength amplifying the finish through a sustained close.
Specs
- Distillery: A. Smith Bowman Distillery, Fredericksburg, Virginia (est. 1935)
- Style: Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Proof: 135.1 (67.55% ABV)
- Bottling: Uncut, unfiltered
- Batch: 3
- Size: 750ml
Browse all bourbon at Wooden Cork.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How does Batch 3 compare to Batch 2 (144.5 proof)? Batch 2 at 144.5 proof is the most extreme batch in the A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength series — among the highest-proof straight bourbons ever commercially released. Batch 3 at 135.1 is still firmly in the high-proof tier but approximately 9 proof points lower, making it slightly more approachable while still delivering the full cask-strength Virginia bourbon character uncut and unfiltered.
- What makes Virginia bourbon distinctive? Virginia's climate and East Coast heritage distilling tradition produce a distinctive bourbon character. A. Smith Bowman is one of very few Virginia producers with serious collector recognition, built on the Abraham Bowman and John J. Bowman aged expressions alongside the Cask Strength program.
- Is Batch 3 still available? Yes — available now in limited quantities.
Description
135.1 proof. Uncut. Unfiltered. A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength Batch 3 — Virginia straight bourbon at high-proof barrel strength from one of the East Coast's oldest and most respected distilleries.
A. Smith Bowman Distillery was founded in 1935 in Sunset Hills, Virginia and relocated to Fredericksburg in 1988 — one of the oldest distilleries on the East Coast and one of very few Virginia bourbon producers. The Cask Strength program is the apex of Bowman's production: individual batches of Virginia straight bourbon bottled at natural barrel proof without dilution or filtration.
Batch 3 at 135.1 proof is between the Batch 2 (144.5 proof — the most extreme batch in the series) and a more typical cask-strength proof point. At 135.1, Batch 3 delivers the full intensity of Virginia straight bourbon at barrel strength while being slightly more approachable than Batch 2's extraordinary 144.5. Both are currently in the Wooden Cork inventory, making them a rare companion pair from the same Virginia cask-strength program at two different proof points.
Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Very deep amber from Virginia straight bourbon at barrel strength.
- Nose: Rich caramel, vanilla, and grain spice at 135.1 proof intensity.
- Palate: Bold and concentrated — the full Virginia straight bourbon character at natural barrel proof.
- Finish: Long and warming — the barrel strength amplifying the finish through a sustained close.
Specs
- Distillery: A. Smith Bowman Distillery, Fredericksburg, Virginia (est. 1935)
- Style: Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Proof: 135.1 (67.55% ABV)
- Bottling: Uncut, unfiltered
- Batch: 3
- Size: 750ml
Browse all bourbon at Wooden Cork.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How does Batch 3 compare to Batch 2 (144.5 proof)? Batch 2 at 144.5 proof is the most extreme batch in the A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength series — among the highest-proof straight bourbons ever commercially released. Batch 3 at 135.1 is still firmly in the high-proof tier but approximately 9 proof points lower, making it slightly more approachable while still delivering the full cask-strength Virginia bourbon character uncut and unfiltered.
- What makes Virginia bourbon distinctive? Virginia's climate and East Coast heritage distilling tradition produce a distinctive bourbon character. A. Smith Bowman is one of very few Virginia producers with serious collector recognition, built on the Abraham Bowman and John J. Bowman aged expressions alongside the Cask Strength program.
- Is Batch 3 still available? Yes — available now in limited quantities.
