The A. Smith Bowman Distillery was founded by Abram Smith Bowman the day after Prohibition ended in 1934. It has been in continuous operation ever since and was the only licensed distillery in Virginia for decades. In 1988 a new distillery was built a few miles away near Fredericksburg, and in 2003 the operation was purchased by New Orleans-based Sazerac. Still specializing in a line of quality Bourbons, the distillery also produces Rum, Vodka, and Gin.