DSR – VA – 028: J. Bumgardner’s Pure Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Company/Distillery: Ragged Mountain Farm, LLC
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
Mash Bill: At Least 51% Corn and High Rye Recipe from 1820
Age Statement: No Age Statement
Proof/ABV: 45 Proof/90% ABV
Color & Viscosity: In the bottle, J. Bumgardner’s Pure Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey presents a warm tawny hue. Once poured into the glass, the color deepens to a dark russet. When the glass is gently tilted and returned to level, the bourbon initially forms a medium viscosity lip along the rim. This lip quickly thickens into a dense, well defined band before slowly breaking into pronounced tear drops. These drops fall steadily, producing very slow, heavy legs that gradually slide down the sides of the glass.
Purchase Price: 750 ML Bottle for $29.99 From the Virginia ABC
Bottle Label Information:
Front Label
1820
“WE SELL NO WHISKEY BUT OUR OWN MANUFACTURE”
J. BUMGARDNER’S
VIRGINIA
PURE OLD
STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY
COPYRIGHTED
AUGUSTA COUNTY
Back Label
J. BUMGARDNER’S
VIRGINIA PURE OLD STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY
“Crafted from the finest grain and aged to perfection, J. Bumgardner’s Pure Old Straight Bourbon embodies a tradition of excellence dating back to 1820. Each sip tells a story of meticulous craftsmanship and unwavering dedication to quality. With its smooth, robust flavor and hints of oak and caramel, J. Bumgardner’s Pure Old Straight Bourbon is more than a drink – it’s a journey through time, inviting you to savor the moment and celebrate the legacy of true American whiskey-making.”
“Distilled and Bottled by: Ragged Mountain Farm, LLC, Charlottesville, Virginia”
Distillery Background
Ragged Mountain Farm, LLC
Ragged Mountain Farm, LLC, located in Albemarle County, Virginia, was an idea cultivated by founder Alex Toomy and several of his friends as they sat at his farm and discussed their future plans after the 2008-2009 housing crisis. Mr. Toomy and his friends were home-builders and developers, experiencing firsthand, the fall out of the housing market. It was during one of these gatherings that someone jokingly mentioned the idea of becoming moonshiners and making whiskey. This idea took root in Toomy’s soul and he decided, along with partners Chris Sarpy and Russell Nance, to take the leap and reach out to the Maker’s Mark Master Distiller, Dave Pickerell.
Mr. Pickerell proved to be absolutely instrumental in assisting the men at Ragged Branch as they got their feet wet in the world of whiskey. He provided Mr. Toomy with the confidence he needed to start a whiskey distillery and even assisted him in laying out a plan to bring this idea to fruition. After Pickerell’s four day visit on the farm, Toomy and his partners decided that making Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey, with the help of Pickerell, was definitely an achievable goal.
After several years of laboring to build the distillery, growing the grains (assisted by partner Kevin Engel), and awaiting their Vendome Copper and Brass Works still, Ragged Branch was ready to begin making whiskey in July 2014.
On July 7, 2014, Ragged Branch produced their first mash under the supervision of Mr. Pickerell. Four days later, the fermented mash was run through their new still and Ragged Branch made its first run of whiskey. They now run the still, just as Dave Pickerell taught them, 10 hours a day, 7 days a week, producing an average of 25 barrels per a month. Even today, Ragged Branch considers the late Mr. Pickerell to be their Master Distiller, as they have continued to run the operation just as he taught them.
Standard offerings available by Ragged Branch include: Ragged Branch Signature Bourbon; Ragged Branch Wheated Bourbon; Ragged Branch Signature Bourbon Bottled-in-Bond; Ragged Branch Wheated Bourbon Bottled-In-Bond; Ragged Branch Straight Rye Whiskey Bottled-In-Bond; Ragged Branch Cowboy Cut Wheated Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
Recent Press Regarding Ragged Branch: 6 Distillers Turning Virginia Into A Must-Visit Bourbon Destination
J. Bumgardner’s Virginia Pure Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey
In 2024, Ragged Branch Distillery expanded its operations and product offering by resurrecting 200-year old brand J. Bumgardner’s Virginia Pure Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey. In addition to using the original recipe as distilled in Augusta County, Virginia in 1820, Ragged Branch used a replica of the label and Augusta County-bred heirloom, open-pollination rye grain. This bourbon is aged approximately 5 years in new American Oak whiskey barrels. J. Bumgardner’s Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey Info Sheet
Tasting Notes
Tasting Date/Vessel: October 2025; Glencairn Glasses
Nose
Christian: In the bottle, J. Bumgardner’s Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey offers sweet aromatics. Dark brown sugar, rich tobacco, and a slight butteriness fill the air. In my Glencairn glass, I am greeted with hints of fresh milled yellow corn and rye grain. A gentle swirl allows a slight floral note to jump out of the glass. This is accompanied by raw honey, vanilla, toasted brown sugar, and cornbread. This nose is traditional, clean, and crisp in its characteristics. The addition of a few drops of distilled water brings even more sweetness to the nose. Berries, sweet tea, fresh tobacco, and pie pastry all come to mind.
Mike: Straight from the bottle, the nose leans into tobacco leaf with soft brown sugar with just a touch of cinnamon in the background. In the glass, those tobacco notes show up first, followed by a light hit of ethanol. After that, things start to really open up; stone fruit begins to seep through, followed quickly by a light buttercream icing sweetness. As it all comes together, there’s a comforting mix of caramel and warm cinnamon spice that brings to mind fresh cinnamon buns baking in the oven on a crisp fall morning.
Mouth
Christian: This whiskey is lightly viscous on the palate leaving an ever so slight coating on the top of my mouth. Layers of sweetness, much like a decadent dessert, dance on the palate. Notes of brown sugar, vanilla, and toasted toffee lead the way. As I allow a second sip to sit longer on my palate, the sweetness ramps up as caramel syrup tickles the taste buds. Just a touch of smokiness can be found here accompanied by oak char and cigar tobacco. A drop of distilled water makes the mouth feel become creamy and soft. Extra sweetness abounds, reminiscent of vanilla pudding or custard, oak char, and toasted brown sugar. The flavors are more delicate now, but still sweet and delightful.
Mike: Up front, the first sip is silky and smooth, immediately coating the palate with a very soft, almost creamy mouthfeel. There’s a gentle sweetness early on, like light brown sugar and a touch of sweet tea, followed by light oak char that keeps things grounded and traditional. As the sip moves toward the back of the palate, a mild peppery note and subtle rye spice show up, bringing just enough bite before the bourbon dries out slightly.
On the second sip, the profile opens up a bit more, revealing a honey-like sweetness along with light tobacco flavors that tie back nicely to the nose. Overall, this is a very classic, traditional bourbon profile. Nothing jumps out or tries to steal the show, and none of the flavors overpower the others. It’s a well balanced, easy drinking whiskey that feels comfortable and familiar, with a soft mouthfeel that makes you want to go back for another sip.
Finish
Christian: J. Bumgardner’s Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey’s finish is tame, short to medium in length. The rye component of the mash bill really shines here. Light notes of pepper, baking spices, and cinnamon are noticed first. A surprise addition of peach or apricot preserves sneaks up very late on this one. The longer I sit and think, the more my mind wanders to a fresh peach cobbler complete with a warm crumble topping. Distilled water makes an already tame finish almost a none factor. Bitterness from oak barrel char picks up. Unexpected notes of melon, like honeydew, join honey and baking spice. There is a new brightness now!
Mike: The finish is medium in length, starting low in the throat before lingering briefly and then fading. Just as it seems to be gone, it builds again in the mid-chest, adding a second wave of warmth before dropping off fairly quickly. As it fades, a dry leather note settles on the palate and lingers just enough to complement the finish without becoming heavy or bitter. There’s also a fleeting hint of stone fruit that creeps back in near the end, echoing the nose, but it fades almost as quickly as it appears. Overall, the finish is clean and balanced, and it fits right in with the bourbon’s classic, easy drinking style.
Our Rating
4.25/5.0 Rickhouses – “Make it a Double!”
Final Thoughts
Christian: Ragged Branch Distillery has added another fine whiskey to their lineup of products. J. Bumgardner’s Pure Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey comes in at a more than fair price point of $29.99 for a 750ml bottle. The tasting experience offers a well balanced pour in which the nose, taste, and finish all complement each other. Approachable and suitable to be enjoyed neat, with a cube, or with a drop or two of distilled water. Versatility is a nice addition for a bottle that won’t break the bank.
A nice sweet flavor profile suitable for a dessert pour after dinner or a nice night by a fire on the Virginia mountainside. I am glad I bought multiple bottles for my collection, waiting to be enjoyed! Cheers!
Rating: 4.00 Rickhouses
Mike: I’m genuinely impressed by J. Bumgardner’s Pure Old Straight Bourbon for a number of reasons. First, while it’s not age-stated, the distillery lists it at 5+ years, and at a price of just $29.99, that’s a serious value. For the price and age, this is a homerun pour, but it hits a lot of other marks for me as well.
Second, it’s very traditional in flavor, and while nothing jumps out on the palate, that’s actually a good thing. Every element is well balanced, from the soft sweetness and light spice to the gentle oak and tobacco notes, creating a bourbon that feels complete and approachable. Ragged Branch has delivered a solid, consistent offering that, for the price, could easily hold a spot as a daily sipper on anyone’s shelf.
And finally this is a good-to-great bourbon, and I highly recommend seeking it out if you’re in Virginia. At 90 proof, you really don’t need to add anything. I recommend that you drink it neat and enjoy it as it’s meant to be. But as my pinned Tweet (are they still called that?) says: don’t take my word for it, drink it the way you like it!
Rating: 4.50 Rickhouses
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