Virginia Gentleman
Encyclopedia
Virginia Gentleman is a brand of bourbon whiskey
. Unlike most other bourbons, it is not distilled in Kentucky
but in the adjoining state
of Virginia
. Some insist that it is not a true bourbon because it is not made in Kentucky, but there is no legal requirement that bourbon be produced there and whiskey was actually first distilled in Virginia in the 17th century (Kentucky was part of Virginia until 1792). Virginia Gentleman's former label was a source of controversy as it apparently depicted two wealthy plantation-owners
being served by a slave. The label was redesigned somewhat to change this implication; also, the former motto, "The Aristocrat
of Them All," was discontinued at the same time, at least from appearing on the label. This beverage has had something of a cult following
following typical of some smaller-brand alcoholic beverage
s.
In addition to the 80-proof (40 percent alcohol) presentation, the distillery also offers a 90-proof small-batch whiskey. Both are triple-distilled. The Virginia Gentleman small-batch 90-proof whiskey won Double Gold and Best American Whiskey awards at the 2008 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Although it won a double gold at the same competition in 2006, its performance in other years has been quite variable. It received silver medals in 2005 and 2009 and a bronze medal in 2007. In 2007, another spirit ratings
organization—the Beverage Testing Insititute—awarded the 90-proof a middling score of 87 on its 100-point scale.
Virginia Gentleman's producer, A. Smith Bowman Distillery
, was founded in 1934 by Abram Smith Bowman and his sons, Smith and DeLong. It was originally based on the Bowman family's Sunset Hills Farm in Fairfax County, Virginia
, in what later became the planned community of Reston
. In 1988, it relocated to Spotsylvania County, near Fredericksburg
, into the former FMC Corp.
cellophane
plant. The distillery previously was an independent family operation, but it has been owned since 2003 by the Buffalo Trace Distillery
of Frankfort, Kentucky
, which provides the unfinished distillate that becomes Virginia Gentleman. (Buffalo Trace is itself a unit of Sazerac Company
, an international beverage corporation based in Metairie, Louisiana
.) The company has since expanded its production into hot sauces and barbecue sauces under the Virginia Gentleman label.
Bourbon whiskey
Bourbon is a type of American whiskey – a barrel-aged distilled spirit made primarily from corn. The name of the spirit derives from its historical association with an area known as Old Bourbon, around what is now Bourbon County, Kentucky . It has been produced since the 18th century...
. Unlike most other bourbons, it is not distilled in Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
but in the adjoining state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. Some insist that it is not a true bourbon because it is not made in Kentucky, but there is no legal requirement that bourbon be produced there and whiskey was actually first distilled in Virginia in the 17th century (Kentucky was part of Virginia until 1792). Virginia Gentleman's former label was a source of controversy as it apparently depicted two wealthy plantation-owners
Plantations in the American South
Plantations were an important aspect of the history of the American South, particularly the antebellum .-Planter :The owner of a plantation was called a planter...
being served by a slave. The label was redesigned somewhat to change this implication; also, the former motto, "The Aristocrat
Aristocracy
Aristocracy , is a form of government in which a few elite citizens rule. The term derives from the Greek aristokratia, meaning "rule of the best". In origin in Ancient Greece, it was conceived of as rule by the best qualified citizens, and contrasted with monarchy...
of Them All," was discontinued at the same time, at least from appearing on the label. This beverage has had something of a cult following
Cult following
A cult following is a group of fans who are highly dedicated to a specific area of pop culture. A film, book, band, or video game, among other things, will be said to have a cult following when it has a small but very passionate fan base...
following typical of some smaller-brand alcoholic beverage
Alcoholic beverage
An alcoholic beverage is a drink containing ethanol, commonly known as alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are divided into three general classes: beers, wines, and spirits. They are legally consumed in most countries, and over 100 countries have laws regulating their production, sale, and consumption...
s.
In addition to the 80-proof (40 percent alcohol) presentation, the distillery also offers a 90-proof small-batch whiskey. Both are triple-distilled. The Virginia Gentleman small-batch 90-proof whiskey won Double Gold and Best American Whiskey awards at the 2008 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Although it won a double gold at the same competition in 2006, its performance in other years has been quite variable. It received silver medals in 2005 and 2009 and a bronze medal in 2007. In 2007, another spirit ratings
Spirit ratings
With a growing number of microdistilleries and an expanding number of offerings from large corporate entities, a number of institutions have arisen to provide professional evaluations of individual spirits...
organization—the Beverage Testing Insititute—awarded the 90-proof a middling score of 87 on its 100-point scale.
Virginia Gentleman's producer, A. Smith Bowman Distillery
A. Smith Bowman Distillery
The A. Smith Bowman Distillery is a distillery that was originally based on the Bowman family's Sunset Hills Farm in Fairfax County, Virginia, USA, in what later became the planned community of Reston...
, was founded in 1934 by Abram Smith Bowman and his sons, Smith and DeLong. It was originally based on the Bowman family's Sunset Hills Farm in Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax County is a county in Virginia, in the United States. Per the 2010 Census, the population of the county is 1,081,726, making it the most populous jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Virginia, with 13.5% of Virginia's population...
, in what later became the planned community of Reston
Reston, Virginia
Reston is a census-designated place in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The population was 58,404, at the 2010 Census and 56,407 at the 2000 census...
. In 1988, it relocated to Spotsylvania County, near Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Fredericksburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia located south of Washington, D.C., and north of Richmond. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 24,286...
, into the former FMC Corp.
FMC Corp.
FMC Corporation is a chemical manufacturing company headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. FMC employs over 4,800 people world wide, and had gross revenues of US$3.115 billion in 2008.-The Bean Spray Pump Company:...
cellophane
Cellophane
Cellophane is a thin, transparent sheet made of regenerated cellulose. Its low permeability to air, oils, greases, bacteria and water makes it useful for food packaging...
plant. The distillery previously was an independent family operation, but it has been owned since 2003 by the Buffalo Trace Distillery
Buffalo Trace Distillery
Buffalo Trace Distillery is a distillery located in Frankfort, Kentucky. It has historically been known by several names, including most notably, the George T. Stagg Distillery and the O.F.C. Distillery. Its namesake bourbon brand, Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon whiskey, was introduced...
of Frankfort, Kentucky
Frankfort, Kentucky
Frankfort is a city in Kentucky that serves as the state capital and the county seat of Franklin County. The population was 27,741 at the 2000 census; by population it is the 5th smallest state capital in the United States...
, which provides the unfinished distillate that becomes Virginia Gentleman. (Buffalo Trace is itself a unit of Sazerac Company
Sazerac Company
The Sazerac Company is a large privately held and family-operated alcoholic beverages company with headquarters in Metairie, Louisiana.It owns and produces a large and diversified portfolio of beverage brands, and it owns and operates a number of distilling companies...
, an international beverage corporation based in Metairie, Louisiana
Metairie, Louisiana
Metairie is a census-designated place in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States and is a major part of the New Orleans Metropolitan Area. Metairie is the largest community in Jefferson Parish. It is an unincorporated area that would be larger than most of the state's cities if it were...
.) The company has since expanded its production into hot sauces and barbecue sauces under the Virginia Gentleman label.