Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon - Review
The bourbon that got people fired up about bourbon and the one you probably heard your one annoying friend continuously talk about how amazing it is. Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon, introduced in 1984, revolutionized the bourbon industry as the world's first commercially available single barrel bourbon[1][3]. Created by Master Distiller Elmer T. Lee at what is now Buffalo Trace Distillery, it was named after Albert B. Blanton, a former distillery president who served from 1921 to 1952[4].
The bourbon's unique character stems from its single barrel aging process, where each bottle comes from an individual barrel rather than a blend. This approach was inspired by Colonel Blanton's practice of selecting "honey barrels" from the center of Warehouse H for special occasions[4].
Blanton's is aged in the all-metal Warehouse H, which imparts distinct aging characteristics due to its temperature fluctuations[4]. The brand is known for its iconic bottle design, featuring a round shape and a stopper adorned with a horse and jockey[2].
Despite being an American product, Blanton's has gained significant popularity in international markets, particularly Japan[3]. The brand offers several variations, including higher-proof versions like Blanton's Gold and Straight From The Barrel, though these were initially only available overseas[5].
Today, Blanton's remains a highly sought-after bourbon, prized for its quality and historical significance in the world of American whiskey[1][2].
Review:
Nose: This is a classic bourbon nose. A lot of vanilla, oak spice, brown sugar, and a bit of honey. After coming back to it a few times, I get a bit of raspberry jam on the end as well. It has a very inviting nose with only a slight tinge of ethanol to be noticed. Nothing is necessarily jumping out of the glass but it checks off most boxes of a down-the-middle, solid, bourbon.
Palate: The first thing I notice on this is the sweetness on my tongue. I get more of the fruity notes coming forward with a bit of the oak spice on the back end. There isn’t as much viscosity as I would like on this bourbon and sips pretty light on the tongue. On a second sip, I get a nicely rounded vanilla note as if you had vanilla ice-cream with a raspberry syrup.
Finish: The finish is a mild one. It lasts for as long as most bourbon drinkers would like it to last but not very long. I can see why many like this bourbon as it really is “smooth”. The finish brings out the oak of this bourbon and I can definitely get some of the baking spice and toasted notes of the barrel.
Overall: 73. Don’t let the score fool you. Blanton’s is solid. It doesn’t miss on much. When this came out, the bourbon market was in a lull and many drinkers wanted something that was reliably ~good~ and something to impress their friends with. The market has changed since then. While I can’t turn someone away from the bottle if they don’t have one in their collection, I wouldn’t recommend this over many others at the $65-$75 price point. There are so many entrants in the space now, that if you wanted to find a bourbon that is much more exciting than this, you wouldn’t be too hard pressed to find them. I personally would recommend Old Forester 1910 every day of the week over this, and you save $10-15. (James E. Pepper Decanter and Wilderness Trail BIB 6 year bourbon are other solid options in this price range)
Value: 50/100; (-2 on the overall) At it’s $65 MSRP, it is an average/below-average offering. Commonly it goes for $100 on secondary marketplaces which, in my opinion, is not a good value.
Availability: Low. Arguably, one of the core bourbon’s to start the bourbon craze. Definitely requires patience to hunt and find.
Citations:
[1] https://vinepair.com/articles/blantons-bourbon-whiskey-guide/
[2] https://dram.jp/blantons-original-single-barrel-review/
[3] https://www.thewhiskyardvark.com/post/the-story-of-blanton-s-bourbon
[4] https://www.blantonsbourbon.com/pages/blanton-tradition
[5] https://thebourbonculture.com/whiskey-essentials/best-blantons-bourbon-bottles-ranked-tasting-notes-review/
[6] https://whiskeyfortheages.com/blantons-on-secondary/
[7] https://albinotree.net/2022/01/13/whisky-and-words-number-91-blantons-single-barrel-bourbon/
[8] https://woodencork.com/blogs/uncorked/the-history-and-ownership-of-blantons-bourbon-an-in-depth-look