Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey. It’s a bottle I could swear I have reviewed here on The Barrel Burner in the past. But as it turns out, we have only review Blanton’ Straight From the Barrel. These two bottles have something in common, I won them in the New Hampshire Stare Liquor Mafia Lottery.
You see, here in New Hampshire the state makes this bottle and many other allocated bottles only available twice a year, sometimes three times in a state lottery. Recently, the state has been doing ghost drops where palates have been dropped off at one of seven stores. Usually during work hours making it almost impossible for those who work to obtain them. The positive though is the bottles are sold at MSRP but I am still not a fan of the process.
According to the Buffalo Trade Distillery website, “In the winter of 1881, Albert Bacon Blanton was born into one of the first families of bourbon history. At the age of sixteen, he started work in the Distillery as an office boy and fast became a leading pioneer in the development of bourbon. From the time he was made company president in 1921 until his retirement in 1952, his Distillery expanded from 44 to 144 buildings to become the largest Distillery of its day. During that period Colonel Blanton created his very special and limited supply of bourbon — his private reserve — handpicked and stored in what now is known as the famous Warehouse H. Although Colonel Blanton died in the spring of 1959, his legacy lives. Introduced in 1984, Blanton’s namesake bourbon was the first ever Single Barrel Bourbon sold commercially. The Single Barrel Bourbon is the first of its kind.”
Does the Rick No. matter on Blanton’s? The answer might shock you as we did a comparison test on this bottle vs one from a higher rick… https://www.thebarrelburner.com/bourbon-review-b…-bourbon-rick-58/
Bourbon Review: Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey
ABV: 46.5 (93 Proof)
Age: Not Disclosed
Mash Bill: Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #2 (12-15% Rye)
Dumped Date: 1-5-2023
Rick No.: 20
Barrel No.: 24
Distillery: Blanton Distilling Company
Location: Frankfort, KY (USA)
The Nose: The nose Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon offers up an abundance of corn and an subtle amount of honey on the initial pull. After we let the glass sit for about 10 minutes showing an enormous bit of restrain, there is more complexity to the aroma. There’s a touch of caramel and vanilla that is hidden behind the corn. Additionally there is a touch of cotton candy present as well that serves as an afterthought.
The Taste: The initial sip is loaded with brown sugar on the front end following by some toasted caramel and a hearty corn finish. My second sip sees some charred oak, rye and leather components on the finish, while remaining sweet on the front with additional notes of honey, vanilla.
Conclusion: While all Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon comes from the same mashbill, all the bourbon that becomes Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey isn’t necessarily the same. Bottles from a higher rick, generally come in at a higher barrel proof, while those lower in the rick house sometimes lose their proof. Therefore, the amount of water used to dilute it down to 93 proof is a different amount depending on the barrel position. With that said this bottle is from the lower rick numbers and it is a bit sweeter than most Blanton’s I’ve had in the past.
In the past you could walk into a liquor store and find Blanton’s on the shelf anytime of the week. But for whatever reasons bourbon is still in the midst of a boom and the bourbon producers haven’t caught up. As a result many stores are price gouging and the liquor companies haven’t done anything to control that. I’ve seen Blanton’s on the shelf for as high at $200 a bottle which is insanity. At the price it’s a museum piece just collecting dust.
Is Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon a good bourbon? The answer is yes, but it isn’t worth more than MSRP. Even at MSRP there are better options, but due to the rarity of seeing it these days I will always grab a bottle when given the chance.
Score: 90
Price: $69.99 (750ml in New Hampshire)
