Bower Hill Bourbon commemorates the “Battle of Bower Hill” which was the first bloodshed of the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794. The Mingo Creek militiamen numbering nearly six hundred surrounded federal tax inspector General John Neville’s fortified home, Bower Hill. The battle took the lives of two rebel leaders, Oliver Miller and Major James McFarlane, a veteran of the Revolutionary War, as well as a few U.S. soldiers defending the Bower Hill home. Upon completion of the two day battle, the home was razed by fire.
The Rebellion originated from the Excise Whiskey Tax of 1791. The farmers who resisted, many of them war veterans, contended that they were fighting for the principles of the American Revolution.
Bourbon Review:Bower Hill Special Edition No. 1 Non-Chill Filtered
ABV: 53% (106 Proof)
Age: 4+ Years
Color: Dark Amber
Mash Bill: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
Distillery: Unknown
Location: Louisville, KY (USA)
Bottled by: Bower Hill Distillery
Location: Silverton, OH (USA)
The Nose: The aroma of the bourbon shows off notes of leather, oak and vanilla has the glass rests below my nose. Taking int he bouquet also reveals some subtle blueberries and a very faint cinnamon. There is some spice present which I attribute to the rye and high proof.
The Notes: The initial flavor is a subtle cinnamon that is quickly taken over by an abundance of oak, licorice and blackberries. Subsequent sips reveal some additional notes of vanilla and fire cured-tobacco. The finish is slightly spicy and warm making this extra enjoyable on a crisp, almost fall night.
The Pairing: We opted to pair this Bower Hill with a new cigar called Red Anchor which is made in the Dominican Republic at the Kelner Boutique Factory for United Cigar. Blended by the son of Henke Kelner it is easy to see the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. The two complimented each other well increasing the sweetness on the cigar while the cigar offered some extra spice to the finish of the bourbon. We don’t let our pairing affect our final score but if it did, it would result in a +2.
Conclusion: The backstory and history of Bower Hill is an interesting one and it’s a shame it isn’t as taught as the Boston Tea Party. As far as the bourbon it comes off initially as a bit thin, but it has a thick long oily finish due to the non-chill filtered process. The bold, rich flavors are extremely enjoyable with very long finish and a touch of heat that reminds you this comes in at 106 proof.
Score: 91
