Hmmm...

It looks like we got out of sync.
Reload your page to freshen up and ensure that you get the best experience.

  • Skip to navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Join Distiller

Take your spirits journey to the next level when you create an account. Once you sign in you can...

  • Rate Bottles

  • Add Your Notes

  • Save To My Top Shelf

Create Account

Already have an account? Sign in

Enjoy our full-featured list experience in the
free distiller app

  • Create your own lists
  • Find spirits on the go
  • Easily search thousands of products
  • Follow friends and see what they're drinking
  • Track your collection with unlimited notes and bottle quantities PRO
Download Now No Thanks

Enjoy our full-featured list experience in the
free distiller app

  • Create your own lists
  • Find spirits on the go
  • Easily search thousands of products
  • Follow friends and see what they're drinking
  • Track your collection with unlimited notes and bottle quantities
    PRO

GET IT NOW:

If you want to add an image to your reviews, install the app.

GET IT NOW:

Distiller.com uses cookies that are essential for us to operate the website and that are helpful for us to improve the services. By continuing to browse our website, you agree to first-party and third-party cookies being stored on your device. Learn More About Cookies
Search
Distiller Home
  • Search
  • Find People
  • Join Pro
  • Recommend
  • Articles
  • Sign In
  • Register
  • Search
  • Find People
  • About Distiller
  • The Tasting Table
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Jobs
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Home

Skymecca

Isaac Bowman Straight Bourbon Finished in Port Barrels

Bourbon — Virginia, USA

Reviewed March 20, 2021 (edited December 27, 2021)
2.75
2.75 out of 5 stars
I'm a huge fan of the John J Bowman single barrel and I also LOVE port finished scotch. As a result was quite excited to try this port finished Bowman bourbon, which based on industry talk is essentially port finished, triple distilled Buffalo Trace for $36. The nose has a very clear port touch to it, with hints of berries/plum layered over what smells like a very young bourbon base. On the palate you can definitely discern the port versus the bourbon, and the port starts to reveal itself as wine-y and tannic. The finish starts to fall apart and is astringent and sharp. The seams show all over the place on this, and the result is what I feared - it tastes like inexpensive port was used to cover young whisky. They needed to either age the whisky longer or find some better port pipes. Unfortunately I am pretty disappointed by this offering, although at $36 it isn't exactly a tragedy. But I think the price point is a big tell here. Bowman has excellent whisky as demonstrated by their John J Bowman single barrel. I haven't had the small batch but I bet that is pretty good as well. I get the feeling this is the leftover stuff from the extremes of the warehouse that they pull pretty young and then try to cover with some inexpensive port pipes for people who like sweet whisky. When you can get $50 a bottle for your single barrel, there is no way they're pulling the same stuff at remotely the same age AND re-barreling it in good port pipes for $36. It doesn't make economic sense. Too bad.
36.0 USD per Bottle
  • DigitalArc
  • pkingmartin
  • Ctrexman
  • ctbeck11
  • jdriip
  • ghill40509
  • MaitoMike
  • dbrown
Create Account or Sign in to comment on this review
  • Skymecca
    March 21, 2021

    @ghill40509 Oh wow, I didn’t know it varied. Because I can imagine a light port touch on something prime like the single barrel would be pretty amazing.

  • ghill40509
    March 21, 2021

    Great Review I too love John J Bowman and the Bowman Bros is quite good too. The finish on the Isaac varies from year to year and is a hit or miss proposition. A few years ago they had one priced above the John J that was excellent and went quick, so yes the pricing is a tell.

Sign up for the Distiller Newsletter

Follow Us
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
Download The App
To learn more about responsible consumption, please visit Foundation For Advancing Alcohol Responsibility.
  • Terms Of Service. ™/© 2026 Distiller
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Submit For Review
  • Jobs
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • About Distiller
  • The Tasting Table
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Submit For Review
  • Jobs
  • Help
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Service. ™/© 2026 Distiller
Follow Us
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
Newsletter
Sign up for the Distiller Newsletter for new bottle & feature updates
To learn more about responsible consumption, please visit Foundation For Advancing Alcohol Responsibility.