The 12 months isn’t even over, however we’re getting one more Abraham Bowman restricted launch for 2024. American Oak is the second within the model’s newly launched Oak Collection, a line that highlights the impression of various oak sorts and charring on whiskey. The inaugural launch was an uncommon and spectacular 12-year-old whiskey aged in a mixture of charred and uncharred French oak, however for the sequel, Bowman is delivering one thing somewhat extra easy.
American Oak additionally carries a 12-year age assertion, nevertheless it has been aged in conventional white oak like all different bourbons in the usual Bowman lineup. The place it stands aside is the age – reportedly 2+ years longer in barrel than the John J. Single Barrel and Cask Power choices – and proof, which is simply shy of batch power. As a small launch (French Oak was reportedly solely 2,000 bottles), we will presume cask choice is a distinguishing issue right here, as effectively. Like French Oak, it was out there solely through a web-based lottery (now closed), so it gained’t be a straightforward discover. Let’s see if it’s well worth the hunt.
The nostril is daring and wealthy, starting with darkish fruits – blackberry jam, currants, and even a little bit of grape should – earlier than transitioning because it opens to brighter notes of sweet apple and chocolate mint. The oak builds with time to breathe, providing up notes of vanilla extract, damp tobacco, toffee, and furnishings polish, however issues stay well-balanced and approachable for the proof, by no means presenting as too burly or astringent. A wealthy buttercream sweetness ties all of it collectively. The oak is a little more muscular on the palate, kicking issues off with a smack of licorice and mint that shifts to baking spice throughout the sip, freshly grated and warming. The spice and oak recede considerably on the midpalate, exposing brighter notes of stewed Granny Smith apple and orange zest, earlier than returning to darkish caramel, barrel char, and Andes mints on a protracted, peppery end. Whereas it’s not practically as distinctive because the inaugural Oak Collection launch, this sequel remains to be a uncommon and fulfilling glimpse at older Bowman bourbon.
135 proof.
A- / $80
A. Smith Bowman Abraham Bowman Oak Collection: American Oak
$80
