Virginia Gentleman: Difference between revisions
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A. Smith Bowman Distillery was sold to Sazerac Family, not Buffalo Trace, in 2003. A. Smith Bowman also does not receive their unfinished distillate from Buffalo Trace, nor is that information publicly available. |
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{{short description|Brand of bourbon whiskey distilled in Kentucky and re-distilled in Virginia}} |
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'''Virginia Gentleman''' is a brand of [[bourbon whiskey]]. Unlike most other bourbons, it is not distilled in [[Kentucky]] but in the adjoining [[U.S. state|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 [[Plantations in the American South|plantation-owners]] being served by a [[Slavery in the United States|slave]]. The label was redesigned somewhat to change this implication; also, the former motto, "The [[Aristocracy|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. |
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{{Infobox beverage |
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| name = Virginia Gentleman |
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| image = Virginia Gentleman.jpg |
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| caption = '''Virginia Gentleman''' |
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| ⚫ | |||
| abv = 40.00% |
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| proof = 80 |
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| manufacturer = [[Sazerac Company]] |
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| origin = [[Virginia]], United States |
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| introduced = |
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| related = [[Buffalo Trace Distillery|Buffalo Trace]] |
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}} |
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'''Virginia Gentleman''' is a brand of [[bourbon whiskey]] distilled in [[Kentucky]] and re-distilled in [[Virginia]]. The brand's motto was "The Aristocrat of Them All" (sometimes rendered as "The Aristocrats of Them All" when advertised with [[A. Smith Bowman Distillery|Smith Bowman Distilleries]]' Fairfax County Bourbon).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vintageadbrowser.com/alcohol-ads-1960s/52|title=Vintage Alcohol Ads of the 1960s (Page 52)|website=www.vintageadbrowser.com}}</ref> |
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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.<ref>[http://www.internetwines.com/rws24391.html Virginia Gentleman]</ref> 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.<ref name="proof66.com">[http://www.proof66.com/single_display.asp?id=25 Proof66.com Summary Page for Virginia Gentleman]</ref> In 2007, another [[spirit ratings]] organization—the Beverage Testing Insititute—awarded the 90-proof a middling score of 87 on its 100-point scale.<ref name="proof66.com"/> |
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==Products== |
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Virginia Gentleman is an 80-proof (40 percent alcohol) whiskey. The distillery also offers a 90-proof [[small batch whiskey|small batch]] version. Both are triple-distilled. |
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==History== |
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Virginia Gentleman's producer, [[A. Smith Bowman Distillery]], was founded in 1934<ref name=natreg>{{cite web |
Virginia Gentleman's producer, [[A. Smith Bowman Distillery]], was founded in 1934<ref name=natreg>{{cite web |
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|url=http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/Counties/Fairfax/029-5014_A._Smith_Bowman_Distillery_1999_Final_Nomination.pdf |
|url=http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/Counties/Fairfax/029-5014_A._Smith_Bowman_Distillery_1999_Final_Nomination.pdf |
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|title=National Register of Historic Places Registration Form |
|title=National Register of Historic Places Registration Form |
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|year=1999 |
|year=1999 |
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|format=PDF}}</ref> 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, Virginia|Reston]]. In 1988, it relocated to [[Spotsylvania County]], near [[Fredericksburg, Virginia|Fredericksburg]], into the former [[FMC Corp.]] [[cellophane]] plant. The distillery |
|format=PDF}}</ref> 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, Virginia|Reston]]. In 1988, it relocated to [[Spotsylvania County]], near [[Fredericksburg, Virginia|Fredericksburg]], into the former [[FMC Corp.]] [[cellophane]] plant. The distillery operated under the Bowman Family until 2003, when it was sold to [[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. |
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Virginia Gentleman's former label depicted a [[American Revolution|Revolution-era]] scene of two white men being served by a [[Negro|black]] [[footman]] (presumably a [[Slavery in the United States|slave]]), all three in [[Aristocracy (class)|aristocratic dress]], standing in front of a [[Plantation complexes in the Southeastern United States#Plantation house|plantation-style manor]].<ref>[http://vintageadstock.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/FullSize/00011-1953-150-069.jpg 1953 Virginia Gentleman advertisement with illustration of bottle and label]</ref> By at least the 1970s the label was redesigned with the black footman becoming white.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.czajkus.com/Bourbon%20Baza/V/V%20-%20Bourbon%20Baza.htm|title=V - Bourbon Baza}}</ref> Virginia Gentleman's motto, "The Aristocrat of Them All", was discontinued some time after, at least from appearing on the label. The label as of 2014 depicted three men in a similar arrangement, none of which are black or a servant. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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* [http://www.asmithbowman.com/ A. Smith Bowman Distillery] |
* [http://www.asmithbowman.com/ A. Smith Bowman Distillery] |
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* [http://www.ellenjaye.com/va_gentleman.htm American Whiskey — Yes, Virginia, there is a Gentleman] |
* [http://www.ellenjaye.com/va_gentleman.htm American Whiskey — Yes, Virginia, there is a Gentleman] |
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* [http://www.proof66.com Proof66.com Liquor Ratings and Reviews] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605180704/http://www.proof66.com/ |date=2014-06-05 }} |
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{{Sazerac Company}} |
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{{Alcoholic drinks}} |
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[[Category:Bourbon whiskey]] |
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[[Category:Sazerac Company brands]] |
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{{whisky-stub}} |
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Latest revision as of 18:36, 11 February 2024
 Virginia Gentleman | |
| Type | Bourbon whiskey |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Sazerac Company |
| Country of origin | Virginia, United States |
| Alcohol by volume | 40.00% |
| Proof (US) | 80 |
| Related products | Buffalo Trace |
Virginia Gentleman is a brand of bourbon whiskey distilled in Kentucky and re-distilled in Virginia. The brand's motto was "The Aristocrat of Them All" (sometimes rendered as "The Aristocrats of Them All" when advertised with Smith Bowman Distilleries' Fairfax County Bourbon).[1]
Products
[edit]Virginia Gentleman is an 80-proof (40 percent alcohol) whiskey. The distillery also offers a 90-proof small batch version. Both are triple-distilled.
History
[edit]Virginia Gentleman's producer, A. Smith Bowman Distillery, was founded in 1934[2] 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 operated under the Bowman Family until 2003, when it was sold to 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.
Virginia Gentleman's former label depicted a Revolution-era scene of two white men being served by a black footman (presumably a slave), all three in aristocratic dress, standing in front of a plantation-style manor.[3] By at least the 1970s the label was redesigned with the black footman becoming white.[4] Virginia Gentleman's motto, "The Aristocrat of Them All", was discontinued some time after, at least from appearing on the label. The label as of 2014 depicted three men in a similar arrangement, none of which are black or a servant.
