Virginia Gentleman....

A. SMITH BOWMAN DISTILLERY:

VIRGINIA GENTLEMAN & THE SPIRITS OF VIRGINIA

"A gentleman, however gallant, proper, and considerate, remains somehow a cut below a Virginia Gentleman."

Virginia is for lovers of bourbon. Virginians (and other lovers of the state) are loyal to the Old Dominion. They are also loyal to Virginia Gentleman Bourbon, the legendary liquor often requested in bars and restaurants throughout the state (and around the world).

A. Smith Bowman, America's oldest family-owned distillery, was founded in 1935. Virginia Gentleman was first sold in 1937 and has continued to please the discriminating bourbon connoisseur ever since.

Though the distillery is operated with modern equipment, the current generation still produces spirits with the same philosophy as their ancestors. They believe in making distilled spirits in small batches and carefully sampling them for a consistent and high-quality product.

After more than 50 years of producing Virginia Gentleman for loyal drinkers, the Bowman Distillery decided to diversify in the 80s. Today, with Bowman brands of top-selling vodka, gin, rum, and tequila, even more Virginia spirits are selling well.

Smart marketers are using the nation's love of Virginia to market Virginia Gentleman and other A. Smith Bowman products. "We can provide aggressive and creative marketing support to all interested restaurant and bar owners, food and beverage directors, managers, chefs, and other industry officials," says John B. "Jay" Adams, Jr., the distillery's president and chief executive officer.

To increase sales of the spirits of Virginia, contact the A. Smith Bowman Distillery at One Bowman Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22408, 703/373-4555, FAX 703/371-2236.

RECIPES

VIRGINIA BELLE

2 oz. Virginia Gentleman Bourbon

1 teaspoon superfine sugar

1 tablespoon lime juice

Dash of bitters

4 oz. chilled cranberry juice

1 strip of cucumber rind

Toss first four ingredients into a shaker with ice cubes. Strain contents of shaker into tall glass, add juice, and stir. Garnish with cucumber rind.

BLUE RIDGE SUNRISE

2 oz. Virginia Gentleman Bourbon

3 oz. orange juice

1 tablespoon grenadine

Pour bourbon over ice in a tall glass. Add chilled orange juice and stir. Add grenadine, but do not stir.

VIRGINIA REEL

2 oz. Bowman's Virginia Gin

1/2 oz. Sweet Vermouth

3 dashes creme de cassis

Shake well with ice. Strain and serve.

VIRGINIA GENTLEMAN BOURBON PECAN PIE WITH CREAM CUSTARD

Provided by Chef Alain Vincey of the Linden Row Inn in

Richmond, Virginia

(6 servings)

1--Sprinkle 1 tsp brown sugar over 8" pre-baked tart shell.

2--Mix 1 cup toasted pecans with 2 oz melted bitter sweet chocolate. Set aside and cool.

3--Warm 1/4 cup heavy cream and t tsp gelatin in saucepan.

4--In a bowl, mix 1 oz softened butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 egg yolk, and 4 tbsp Virginia Gentleman Bourbon. Add to the mixture from step 3 and stir over low simmer.

5--Cool mixture from step 4 over ice until it is almost set.

6--Fold in 1/2 cup of sour cream into mixture from step 2.

7--Whip 2 egg whites and 1 tsp powdered sugar until stiff.

8--Fold into custard gently.

9--Fill shell and chill. Slice as desired.

Cream Custard (to be placed on bottom of plate):

1--Bring 4 tbsp water, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup corn syrup, 1/4 cup cream, and 1 oz unsalted butter to boil and stir constantly. After a few minutes, add 1/2 oz Virginia Gentleman Bourbon.