It's been a long time since we've seen a rye whiskey from A. Smith Bowman, but with heritage grains in vogue, it's now back for the first time since 2010.
The new release, named Abraham Bowman Special Release #26, is said to take inspiration from the 2010 Abraham Bowman Limited Edition, but it looks to be a markedly different whiskey.
That original was bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV). Special Release #26 pushes considerably higher to 110 proof (55%), a deliberate choice by master distiller David Bock to explore how elevated proof shapes intensity and balance in a rye mashbill.
“We spent a lot of time tasting this at different proofs, and 110 is where it really came together,” said Bock. “With a higher proof, you’re getting more intensity, but also more nuance. For a rye whiskey especially, this release is incredibly smooth, and the vanilla beautifully balances with the pepperiness.”
This is also older than a typical rye whiskey, which is usually aged for four to six years. With the help of a notably cooler Warehouse A, this whiskey was aged for 11 years. That should help smooth out the usual flavor profile, which is usually intensely aromatic and spicy.
The distillery notes include notes of maple syrup layered with hints of copper and fresh spring aromatics on the nose, vanilla, apricot, and bright orange zest on the palate, and a spice-forward finish balanced by subtle earthy undertones.
Regardless of how it tastes, demand for this limited-edition bottling is likely to far outstrip supply. That’s why A. Smith Bowman is insisting on in-person pick-ups only. And that’s only if you’re lucky enough to be drawn out of the random lottery. It’s also absurdly cheap at $79.99 a bottle. Expect to pay many times more than if buying on the secondary market.
The lottery runs from May 4 through May 11. Winners will be notified by May 12 and must pick up their bottle from the A. Smith Bowman gift shop by the end of the month.
