John J. Bowman Single Barrel Bourbon has a slightly fruity and mild caramel nose with very little ethanol. In fact, it’s almost invisible to the nose. Unfortunately, any aroma that you sense quickly dissipates, and then there is nothing. Then, I let the glass sit for another couple of minutes, and the nose changed, of course, to a very mild buttery caramel.
Initially there was a spice-heavy and buttery mouthfeel. After revisiting this bourbon, I did not experience that buttery quality. John J. Bowman Single Barrel bourbon lacks complexity and becomes more harsh the longer the bottle is open. I discern few flavor notes. I cannot pick out anything on the palate other than a few traditional bourbon notes that are overshadowed by harshness.
The finish lingers longer in the mouth than it does in the esophagus. I want to feel that warm internal hug all of the way down, but I don’t.