is bringing back a piece of Virginia’s rich whiskey heritage with the statewide re-release of J. Bumgardner Virginia Pure Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Starting in April, this historic bourbon will be available year-round across Virginia ABC stores, which is good news for both the distillery and bourbon enthusiasts throughout the Commonwealth.
A legacy reborn
J. Bumgardner’s Bourbon traces its origins back to 1820 in Augusta County, Virginia. The drink was popular until Prohibition led to its disappearance from the market. Now, a century later, the bourbon is being distilled, aged and bottled by master bourbon maker Alex Toomy and the team at Ragged Branch.
Ragged Branch is ensuring that J. Bumgardner’s Pure Old Straight Bourbon is meticulously crafted on Toomy’s father’s farm in neighboring Augusta County, approximately 5 miles from the original Bumgardner distillery.Â
The revival was made possible through collaboration with Judge Bumgardner, a descendant of the original distiller, who provided the original label, recipe and branding iron used on the barrel heads.
Overwhelming demand
The initial reintroduction of J. Bumgardner’s Bourbon was met with quite the reception, leading to the liquor selling out within mere months of its release. It was clear that Bumgardner was a hit with local connoisseurs. So in response to the high demand, Ragged Branch ramped up production to ensure that J. Bumgardner’s Bourbon would be available for purchase year-round.
Craftsmanship and tradition
Today and just like yesteryear, the pure bourbon whiskey in its latest chapter is made with the finest grains — specifically an Augusta County-bred heirloom, open-pollination rye — and aged in new American white oak barrels. The result is pure bourbon gold — smooth, robust, with notes of caramel and oak. The bourbon is 90-proof or 45% alcohol by volume.
Born on a farm, raised in a glass
As J. Bumgardner’s Bourbon returns to shelves statewide at ABC, both Ragged Branch Distillery and bourbon enthusiasts have much to celebrate and savor the legacy of J. Bumgardner.
With an eye toward tradition, Ragged Branch Distillery makes old-school whiskey, every day, on a working farm. For more information, please visit and to find a Virginia ABC store near you visit .
Alcoholic beverages may only be purchased and consumed by people ages 21 and over in the United States. Please drink responsibly.
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