Blanton’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
93 Proof
Price Point: $45 – $55 for 750 ML
Distiller: Blanton Distilling Company
Background
“Taken from the center-cut or middle sections of the famous Warehouse H, Blanton’s Original was once designated for ambassadors, dignitaries, and Colonel Blanton’s family and friends. Today, everyone has access to the world’s first single barrel bourbon.”
This came straight from Blanton’s website, and I think this says it all. What was once reserved for the upper crust of society is now available for even us lowly peasants. And Blanton’s sure tastes like it’s a cut above the rest, so I can’t help but think that it’s too good for me.
Review
Mmm . . . bourbon. That’s about all I need to say about the nose of Blanton’s. This is pure Kentucky goodness right from the get-go.
Blanton’s really shines straight from the first sip. Lots of vanilla sweetness with a bit of a wheat taste despite it not showing up in the mash bill. No distinguishable rye present as far as I can tell, which is perfect for my taste! Seems similar to Buffalo Trace, although higher proof and smoother.
The finish is really nice. Just a slight burn with a side of vanilla.
Rating & Recommendations
I really enjoy Blanton’s, and to me this is one bourbon worth the hefty price tag. I give this whiskey a rating of 89 out of 100.
Enjoy this stuff neat; you’re paying for a quality drink so don’t water it down!
Blanton’s is a bourbon that everyone should have in their liquor cabinet. Share it with someone who appreciates good whiskey. Don’t waste it on amateurs.
-Ryan
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In a nod to its goodness and bottle shape, my friends refer to Blanton’s as the “Holy Hand Grenade!”
i have recently been given a bottle of blantons bourbon by my father…would like to know the value of this bottle…dated 1993 barrel h bottle number 43 …do not want to sell…just curious,….never been opened thank you
Author
Hi Sandra.
That’s very cool, but unfortunately I would be unqualified to answer your question. I can tell you that if it is standard Blanton’s, it probably isn’t worth all that much more than the $45-55 that a new bottle would run you today. If you are unfamiliar with whiskey (I don’t want to insult you if you are), it’s not known to age in the bottle the same way it would in the barrel, therefore older whiskeys bottled decades ago aren’t much different than whiskeys bottled today.
I hope this help, at least a little bit. Thanks for the comment!
-Ryan
I know this is an old review but i had to comment on it. I jjust came across your blog and have read several of your reviews. Since I consider whiskey reviews to be ‘highly’ subjective I was glad to read you rate it so highly. Blanton’s is by far my favorite and figure I can trust your other reviews to be similar to my own palate. Thanks for the great work.
Author
Thanks for the kind words, Dan. Cheers!
-Ryan
I’m actually a Blanton 🙂
As am I, and BTW a descendant of Albert Blanton. Cheers.
New poster:
The wife picked me up a Blantons dumped on 4/24/14, barrel #449, stored in warehouse H on rick 14.
Quite a treat to the eyes (the unique bottle shape and the cork decal) and a sweet butterscotch with caramel undertones welcome to the nose. Deep amber color.
I recommend enjoying this neat. If you want it cold, refrigerate the bottle beforehand as it is too “smooth” for ice.
The tongue agreed with the nose as to the flavor,with a hint of spice lingering on the finish. A somewhat simple but high quality bouquet.
I would venture to say this is quite a few notches above Buffalo Trace per my pallet.
Sláinte
Just cracked open dumped on 4/4/06. Barrel 534 warehouse H on Rick # 15
It just warmed my heart and soul on this 15 degre night
Thanks again
Had not been a bourbon drinker, and neither had been the friend that I was visiting. He’d bought a bottle of Balanton’s. Just as a contrast, I bought a bottle of Jim Beam Black for him. Was expecting the Balanton’s to blow the Beam away.
We tested the two side-by-each neat. Was expecting quite the difference, but, you know what, there just wasn’t that much difference – barely discernable, and that only because we were testing them together. The Balanton’s was ever so slightly better, but where we were, the Balanton’s was worth triple the price of the Jim Beam Black, and the price difference just could not be justified.
Hi, I seen a comment above and have a little bit more on the subject. Its true a whiskey will no longer “age” once bottled, however that does not mean that it will remain unchanged. If the bottle has not been sealed with wax or has been opened and can breathe a little bit even if slightly around a cap or through a cork more of the congeners will turn to esters and will smooth considerably over the years. If it a whiskey thats already smooth such as Blanton’s it will smooth a little more, if its a young bourbon it will smooth considerably. I have a bottle of Jim Beam bottled in 1982 making it 41 years old total and its the smoothest whiskey ive ever had. I normally dont like Beam white label, but I wouldnt come off this bottle for anything!
My name is Robert Blanton and I am from San Diego, CA. My fathers side of the family grew up in Kentucky. I am not sure if we are related, but do you know where I can get a bottle?
I’m also a fan of Blanton’s! I currently have 2 bottles, so 1 can age a little. In regard to where to purchase, Sam’s Club has it for $42.88 in California. What a deal!
Cheers.
with that whiskey is taken
How does the Blanton compare to the 10 year Eagle Rare ?
Author
I prefer Blanton’s over Eagle Rare 10 Year Old. You can read my review here:
http://whiskey-reviews.com/2011/12/eagle-rare-10-year-old-bourbon/
Cheers!
-Ryan
Discovered Blanton’s in the late 80’s and it has been my Alpha-Omega of fine bourbons. I was drinking it before I discovered single malt scotch. It is were I started and where I end up. I definitely have not tried everything out there. Weller was also very good. I like everything in Buffalo Trace’s line from Buffalo Trace through the various iterations of Eagle Rare. They all seem to be along the same lines, but Blanton’s is the best I have tasted. A bottle usually finds it’s way to me around my birthday as a present I give to me!
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