How to Drink Blanton’s Single Barrel

Last Updated on: 25th April 2024, 05:50 pm

Discover the best way of drinking Blanton’s Single Barrel: Ideas for tasting, pairing, and enjoying this whiskey.

Written by: J Highland

Key Takeaways

• Best enjoyed neat or with a small amount of water to enhance flavors, suggests Neil Coleman.
• Recommended in a Glencairn glass to amplify its aroma and taste.
• Flavor profile: honey, caramel, aged leather, oak, butterscotch, vanilla, and a moderate rye spice kick.
• Not ideal for cocktails due to its price and complexity.
• Pairs well with barbecued pork ribs, dark chocolate desserts, aged cheddar cheese, roasted nuts, and spiced apple pie.
• Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.

Best Way to Drink Blanton’s Single Barrel

“Enjoy Blanton’s Single Barrel bourbon straight from the first pour for the best experience. This bourbon stands out on its own and doesn’t need water, ice, or chasers. “, suggests Bourbon expert Neil Coleman.

Its reputation for balance and quality shines through in every sip, offering a great drinking experience.

The bourbon’s incredible smoothness and perfect balance, along with its good body, make it an excellent choice for sipping.

• Related: Discover Similar Bourbons to Blanton’s Single Barrel
• Learn More: Blanton’s Website

Adding water

Adding a bit of water to Blanton’s can enhance the caramel flavor and bring out more oak, but it may also tone down its delightful baking spice notes.

Therefore, be cautious when adding water.

Remember, there’s no universal rule for watering whiskey.

Begin with just one drop and observe if it improves the flavor.

Adding Ice

Another possibility is using ice, though it’s not my preferred method.

I favor stainless steel whiskey rocks, which cool the drink without diluting it, or you might want to try cooling cups.

I generally avoid ice with premium spirits like Blanton’s, as it dilutes watering down the whiskey and rushes the tasting experience.

Since Blanton’s is a costly and quality bourbon, it deserves to be appreciated without the addition of ice.

Choosing the Right Glass

Enjoy Blanton’s Bourbon at its best with a Glencairn glass.

Specially designed for whiskey, the Glencairn’s unique tulip shape intensifies aromas and flavors, ensuring you capture every nuance of Blanton’s rich profile.

Its wide bowl lets you appreciate the color and body, while the narrow opening concentrates the bouquet, offering a superior tasting experience.

To be a serious whiskey enthusiast, owning a Glencairn glass is a must.

Tasting Notes

Blanton’s boasts a rich, fragrant aroma featuring notes of honey, caramel, aged leather, and oak.

Its taste is marked by classic butterscotch and vanilla flavors, along with a moderate rye spice kick.

Its unique velvety, creamy texture distinguishes it from other bourbons.

The finish is lengthy, warmly sweet, and smooth, with a slight NyQuil-like undertone.

Blanton’s in Cocktails

Blanton’s is not my top choice for making cocktails as it is a little too pricey for mixed drinks.

Consider alternatives like Buffalo Trace, made at the same distillery, providing more value for your money.

However, here are three sophisticated cocktail recipes if you want to try Blanton’s in an uncommon way:

Bourbon and Fig Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Bourbon
• 1 oz. fig syrup (homemade or store-bought)
• 1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 oz. Grand Marnier or a similar orange liqueur
• Ice cubes
• Fresh fig slice and orange twist for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, combine bourbon, fig syrup, lemon juice, and orange liqueur.
2. Fill with ice and shake vigorously for about 20 seconds.
3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
4. Garnish with a fresh fig slice and an orange twist.

Smoked Maple Bourbon Chai

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Bourbon
• 1 oz. chai tea concentrate
• 1/2 oz. maple syrup
• Dash of smoked bitters
• Ice cubes
• Cinnamon stick and star anise for garnish

Instructions:

1. Brew a strong chai tea and let it cool to make the concentrate.
2. In a mixing glass, combine bourbon, chai concentrate, maple syrup, and smoked bitters.
3. Add ice and stir well.
4. Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass.
5. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and star anise.

Blackberry Collins

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Bourbon
• 1 oz. fresh blackberry puree (muddle fresh blackberries and strain)
• 1/2 oz. simple syrup
• 1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
• Club soda
• Ice cubes
• Fresh blackberries and lemon wheel for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, muddle a few fresh blackberries and then strain to get the puree.
2. Add the bourbon, blackberry puree, simple syrup, and lemon juice to the shaker.
3. Fill with ice and shake well.
4. Strain into a Collins glass filled with ice.
5. Top with club soda.
6. Garnish with fresh blackberries and a lemon wheel.

These recipes bring a creative twist to bourbon cocktails, offering a sophisticated and unique tasting experience.

Food Pairings

Pairing Blanton’s, a bourbon with rich baking spice notes, with food can enhance both the drink and the dish.

Here are five food pairings that would complement its flavor profile:

1. Barbecued Pork Ribs: The sweet and smoky flavors of barbecued ribs pair wonderfully with the warm spice notes of Blanton’s. The bourbon’s richness can cut through the fattiness of the pork, while its spice complements the barbecue sauce.
2. Dark Chocolate Desserts: The bitterness of dark chocolate and the sweet, spicy notes of Blanton’s create a delightful contrast. Try it with a dark chocolate tart or truffles for a luxurious pairing.
3. Aged Cheddar Cheese: A sharp, aged cheddar can stand up to the robust flavors of Blanton’s. The cheese’s creamy texture and rich taste, combined with the bourbon’s spiciness, make for an excellent pairing.
4. Roasted Nuts (Almonds or Pecans): Roasted nuts, especially almonds or pecans, have a natural sweetness and earthiness that complements the baking spice notes in Blanton’s. This pairing is perfect for a casual gathering or as a simple snack.
5. Spiced Apple Pie: The classic flavors of a spiced apple pie, with its cinnamon and nutmeg, harmonize beautifully with the baking spice notes of Blanton’s. Enjoying a slice of apple pie with a glass of Blanton’s can create a comforting and indulgent experience.

These pairings are not just about matching flavors but also about creating a balance between the food and the bourbon, enhancing the overall tasting experience.

Preserving the Bottle

• Keep in a cool, dark area.
• Make sure the seal is tight to avoid oxidation.
• Finish quickly once the level drops to 25% as it might develop weird tasting notes.

About Blanton’s

• The exact mashbill of Blanton’s Single Barrel is not public, but it contains approximately 15% rye.
• Although Blanton’s Single Barrel lacks a specific age statement, it’s usually aged between 6 to 8 years.
• Crafted at the Buffalo Trace Distillery.
• Aged in Warehouse H, which Col. Blanton considered the distillery’s best location for whiskey maturation.
• It received the Double Gold Medal at the 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
• Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible has referred to it as “liquid gold.”