Meeting #21: November ‘25 - Virginia Night - Bowman Brothers, Filibuster, and Ragged Branch

Once again, High Flight ventured outside of Kentucky to see what the other states were up to! This time, Virginia was under the microscope. As Kentucky’s eastern neighbor, Virginia provides a similar aging climate, with a rich distilling history to boot.

#1) Bowman’s Brothers Small Batch 

90 proof / assumed 6-7 years / $35

Undisclosed mashbill, but folks believe it is Buffalo Trace distillate (assumed 89.5% corn, 7% rye, and 3.5% malted barley)

HF avg: 3.06

NOSE: traditional vanilla and caramel notes

TASTE: soft and sweet, pear, cinnamon

FINISH: also soft, vanilla, some oak

While originating and produced in Virginia, Bowman’s Brothers small batch is under the Sazerac umbrella, alongside Buffalo Trace and Weller. Buffalor Trace distillate is sent to Bowman's, which is then tripled distilled, aged, and bottled in VA. Would be interesting to compare to Buffalo Trace. Bowman’s has a few offerings, and we chose the common and easily found Small Batch. This whiskey is classic, simple, and darn good. It won’t blow your mind, but it is sweet and easy drinkin’. We also picked this up for $32 on sale, which is a good value. 

Bowman Brothers higher end bottles are highly regarded in the whisky world. I’ve read great reviews on their John J. Bowman Single Barrel, which isn’t too terribly expensive. A. Smith Bowman Single Barrels are probably great, but you pay for it.

#2) Filibuster

90 proof / Aged less tha 4 years / ~ $73

70% Corn, 20% Spice Rye, 10% Nutty Barley

HF avg: 3.04

NOSE: Butterscotch, bubble gum

TASTE: oak, spice, orange zest, peppercorn

FINISH: Warm rye spice hug, medium finish

Founded in Washington D.C., Filibuster (great name) was first distilled not too far from capitol hill. Filibuster is a double-cask whiskey now distilled in Maurertown, VA, and finished in French oak barrels in California. 

Filibuster had some more rye influence. There is a pleasant sweatness of butterscotch and bubble gum, but with a spicey, zesty, pepper twist from the rye. The finish is a little spicier, I’d say about medium in length. Overall, the average score was right in the middle at 3.04. Not a bad whiskey, but $73 may be more than you want to spend for good-but-average taste. I do see at least one “4” on our score sheet though, so if you are into high ryes, this could be a unique non-Kentucky bottle for your collection.

#3) Ragged Ranch Virginia Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey Cowboy Cut

118.3 proof / aged 3 years / $65

68% corn, 16% wheat, 16% malted barley

HF avg: 2.87

NOSE: tart fruit, grainy, oak

TASTE: spices, strong clove and cinnamon

FINISH: Long finish, bitter, tannins, oak char

Ragged Ranch Wheated Cowboy Cut was a little underwhelming, in my humble opinion. I was excited for a barrel proof after the first 2 pours, but this one was a bit more dry and bitter/charred than I was hoping for. I like sweetness to balance the proof.  I’m interested in their distillery though - props to these folks for running a farm-to-bottle operation. Worth stopping by their farm and tasting room if you find yourself near Charlottesville, VA! I’d definitely like to try more.

See you all in December. We have a special holiday themed tasting lined up for you!!