July 02, 2025

This 139.7 Proof Bourbon Will Change How You Think About Virginia Whiskey, A Smith Bowman Cask Strength Blows Tiny's Mind

44 minutes

Send us a text

The Scotchy Bourbon Boys dive deep into A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength, discovering what might be the best non-Kentucky bourbon ever tasted. Tiny conducts a solo tasting that results in a perfect score for this remarkable Virginia whiskey.

• Discussion of Whiskey House of Kentucky's recent business developments and financial stability
• History of A. Smith Bowman Distillery, Virginia's oldest distillery founded in 1934
• Background on A. Smith Bowman's acquisition by Sazerac, owner of Buffalo Trace and 1792
• Detailed analysis of A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength Batch 4 (139.7 proof, 10 years old)
• Perfect score of 18/18 in the Old Louisville Whiskey Company Barrel Bottle Breakdown
• Tasting notes featuring remarkable cherry cola flavors and exceptional body
• Announcements about upcoming appearances in Lexington, Frankfurt, and Bardstown
• Recommendations for bourbon destinations including House of Commons Bourbon Library and Brad Bond's Vintage Spirits and Bottle Shop

Remember to check out our website at scotchybourbonboys.com for merch and updates. Please like, comment, subscribe, and leave good feedback on your podcast platform of choice. Good bourbon equals good times and good friends.
A remarkable journey through Virginia's whiskey legacy unfolds as Tiny conducts a solo tasting of A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength Bourbon. This exceptional spirit from Virginia's oldest distillery reveals itself as possibly the finest non-Kentucky bourbon ever encountered on the show.

The story of A. Smith Bowman begins in 1927 when its namesake purchased a 7,200-acre farm for dairy and grain production. When his fields yielded excess grain, Bowman made a decision that would change Virginia's spirits landscape forever—establishing a distillery in 1934 that became the state's sole legal whiskey producer until the 1950s. Now owned by Sazerac (the company behind Buffalo Trace), A. Smith Bowman has evolved into an award-winning distillery creating some of America's most distinguished spirits.

What makes this particular bourbon exceptional is found in its contradictions. Despite its intimidating 139.7 proof (69.85% ABV), the 10-year-old whiskey delivers astonishingly little ethanol burn. Instead, drinkers experience a symphony of cherry, vanilla, and distinctive cola notes that create what Tiny describes as "the biggest body I've ever had in a bourbon." The experience culminates in a unique Coca-Cola finish unlike anything previously encountered.

The Old Louisville Whiskey Company Barrel Bottle Breakdown system awards this bourbon a perfect 18/18 score—with the body category even receiving the rare "butt-up-up" designation for exceeding the normal scale. This places A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength among the most highly-rated spirits in the show's history.

Between sips, Tiny shares exciting updates about Whiskey House of Kentucky's financial developments and announces upcoming appearances across bourbon country. He also highlights must-visit bourbon destinations including House of Commons Bourbon Library in Frankfurt and Brad Bond's Vintage Spirits in Covington.

Subscribe to the Scotchy Bourbon Boys on your favorite podcast platform, follow on social media, and visit scotchybourbonboys.com for merchandise and updates. Remember—good bourbon equals good times and good friends, so drink responsibly and live your life uncut and unfiltered.