This is for all of our Virginia friends and readers...
Virginia Gentleman Bourbon
1927 - A. Smith Bowman purchases a farm known as Sunset Hills
in Virginia. He raises Corn Rye and Barley (The Book of
Bourbon..., Gary and Mardee Regan, p. 189).
1933 - Bowman builds a distillery on his farm (The Book of
Bourbon..., Gary and Mardee Regan, p.189).
1935 - Two year old Virginia Gentleman hits the market (The
Book of Bourbon..., Gary and Mardee Regan, p.189).
1939 - Four year old Virginia Gentleman is introduced (The
Book of Bourbon..., Gary and Mardee Regan, P.189).
1952 - A. Smith Bowman dies and his sons A. Smith Jr. and E.
DeLong (The Book of Bourbon..., Gary and Mardee Regan,
p.189).
1960 - Much of the Bowman farm is sold to form the town of
Reston, Va. (The Book of Bourbon..., Gary and Mardee
Regan, p.189).
1966 - The A Smith Bowman distillery is listed as having a
capacity of 50 barrels per day with Virginia Gentleman
and Fairfax County bourbons being their two brands
(1966 Red Book, p.17).
1970 - Robert E. Lee IV becomes head of sales (The Book of
Bourbon..., Gary and Mardee Regan, p.190).
1971 - John "Jay" Adams Jr. becomes head of production (The
Book of Bourbon..., Gary and Mardee Regan, p.190).
1988 - The A. Smith Bowman Distillery moves to Fredricksburg,
Va. (The Book of Bourbon..., Gary and Mardee Regan,
p.90).
Mike Veach