{"product_id":"a-smith-bowman-releases-cask-strength-bourbon-batch-2","title":"A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength Bourbon Batch #2 144.5 Proof","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e144.5 proof. One of the highest commercially released proof points for an American straight bourbon. A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength Batch 2 — Virginia straight bourbon at its most extreme, uncut and unfiltered from the historic Fredericksburg distillery.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eA. Smith Bowman Distillery was founded in 1935 in Sunset Hills, Virginia and relocated to Fredericksburg, Virginia in 1988. It is one of the oldest distilleries on the East Coast and one of very few Virginia bourbon producers. Bowman produces its own straight bourbon using a proprietary production process and has earned recognition for its single barrel and limited release programs — particularly the John J. Bowman and Abraham Bowman expressions that represent the apex of the distillery's aged inventory.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eAt 144.5 proof, Batch 2 is among the most powerful straight bourbons commercially released in American whiskey history. For context: Stagg Jr's highest-recorded batch reached 134.4 proof; George T. Stagg BTAC at its most powerful reaches approximately 142 proof. Batch 2's 144.5 proof exceeds most cask-strength releases from any producer and from any state. The natural concentration of these specific Virginia barrels at this proof level produces a full-force bourbon experience that demands careful attention — neat nosing will reveal a spirit of extraordinary intensity.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAppearance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very deep amber with the extraordinary concentration of Virginia straight bourbon at 144.5 proof.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approach with patience — rich caramel, vanilla, dried fruit, and grain spice at extreme proof. Water reveals more of the complexity beneath.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Powerful beyond almost any commercially available bourbon — the full intensity of A. Smith Bowman's Virginia straight bourbon at maximum natural concentration.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Extraordinarily long and warming — the 144.5 proof producing a finish duration and intensity matched by very few bourbons produced.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDistillery:\u003c\/strong\u003e A. Smith Bowman Distillery, Fredericksburg, Virginia (est. 1935)\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eProof:\u003c\/strong\u003e 144.5 (72.25% ABV)\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eBottling:\u003c\/strong\u003e Uncut, unfiltered\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eBatch:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 750ml\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003cp\u003eBrowse all \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/woodencork.com\/collections\/bourbon\"\u003ebourbon at Wooden Cork\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eIs 144.5 proof unusually high for straight bourbon?\u003c\/strong\u003e Extremely. Federal law requires bourbon to enter the barrel at no more than 125 proof and exit at no more than 160 proof for straight bourbon. Natural evaporation of water (especially in warm climates) can concentrate barrels well above entry proof. At 144.5 proof, Batch 2 is among the highest-proof straight bourbons ever commercially released — exceeding most BTAC Stagg releases and comparable to the most extreme spirit concentrations in American whiskey history.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHow should 144.5 proof bourbon be approached?\u003c\/strong\u003e Neat nosing from a distance first to assess the aromatics without alcohol burn. A splash of water — even just a few drops — dramatically opens the aromatics and makes the palate more approachable. A Glencairn glass with the hand over the top for a minute before nosing allows the alcohol to settle and the aromas to emerge.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWhat makes A. Smith Bowman significant?\u003c\/strong\u003e One of the oldest East Coast distilleries (est. 1935), producing Virginia straight bourbon since before the modern bourbon revival. The Bowman family's production program is one of the few outside Kentucky to earn serious collector attention for its aged expressions.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eIs Batch 2 still available?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — a genuinely rare find at this proof level.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e {   \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",   \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",   \"mainEntity\": [     { \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Is 144.5 proof unusually high for straight bourbon?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Extremely. At 144.5 proof, Batch 2 is among the highest-proof straight bourbons ever commercially released \\u2014 exceeding most BTAC Stagg releases and comparable to the most extreme concentrations in American whiskey history.\" } },     { \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How should 144.5 proof bourbon be approached?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Neat nosing from a distance first. A splash of water dramatically opens aromatics and improves palatability. A Glencairn with the hand over the top for a minute allows alcohol to settle.\" } },     { \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What makes A. Smith Bowman significant?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"One of the oldest East Coast distilleries (est. 1935), producing Virginia straight bourbon since before the modern revival. One of very few outside Kentucky to earn serious collector attention.\" } },     { \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Is Batch 2 still available?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes \\u2014 a genuinely rare find at this proof level.\" } }   ] } \u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"A. Smith Bowman","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42900665434183,"sku":"Scott","price":1249.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0687\/0640\/2375\/files\/a-smith-bowman-cask-strength-bourbon-batch-2-12-07-2022_5f0c63f1-c3a0-40bc-90dc-60faa9ad3266.jpg?v=1782401809","url":"https:\/\/bourbonnest.com\/products\/a-smith-bowman-releases-cask-strength-bourbon-batch-2","provider":"Bourbon Nest","version":"1.0","type":"link"}