Best Blanton’s Bourbon: Discover Blanton’s Top Bourbons

Last Updated on: 15th April 2024, 03:23 pm

Blanton’s Bourbon: Unveiling the Best Bottle

With the assistance of whiskey expert Neil Coleman and customer feedback, I have reviewed and rated every Blanton’s release and determined which is best.

Key Takeaways: Best Blanton’s Bourbon for Each Purpose and Taste

• Blanton’s Special Reserve: This low-proof option might set expectations with its caramel and prune aroma, but the watery texture and lack of flavor depth are underwhelming. It’s suitable for those seeking a smooth, mild bourbon, but may disappoint anyone looking for richness and complexity.
• Blanton’s Original Single Barrel: A standout for providing quality at a reasonable price, it offers a creamy, honeyed profile with a complex finish that lingers pleasantly. This bourbon is best enjoyed neat or with minimal dilution to appreciate its full flavor spectrum, making it an excellent choice for both casual drinkers and bourbon enthusiasts.
• Blanton’s Gold Edition: While similar to the Original Single Barrel, the Gold is bottled at a higher proof, offering more body and robustness. Its rich vanilla and honey flavors make it a premium option best enjoyed neat. The higher price point reflects its added prestige and the ornate golden topper, suitable for collectors or as a special occasion bourbon.
• Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel: The top release from Blanton’s, this uncut and unfiltered bourbon is packed with intense flavors of vanilla, butterscotch, and dark fruit, thanks to being bottled at full barrel strength. It offers a rich, deep tasting experience, ideal for those who appreciate a powerful, full-bodied bourbon. Best enjoyed with a bit of water to open up its complexities, it’s perfect for experienced bourbon drinkers looking for an unadulterated whiskey experience.
• 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.

Quick Look at the Blanton’s Range of Bourbons

Whiskey	Price	Rating
Original Single Barrel	$125	86
Special Reserve	$290	77
Gold Edition	$450	87
Straight from the Barrel	$400	91

Blanton’s Special Reserve: Disappointing Price for Bland Flavor

• Nose: Caramel, prunes, banana
• Palate: Caramel, vanilla, banana, baking spice
• Finish: Short, tobacco, oak spice
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Blanton’s Special Reserve fails to meet expectations. The aroma of burnt butterscotch is promising, but the taste is underwhelming. Thin and watery, it lacks richness and depth. Subtle hints of vanilla and spice struggle to emerge. The finish is short and one-dimensional, with tobacco and bitter oak.

While smooth due to its low proof, Blanton’s Special Reserve feels oddly muted. For its price point, it offers a disappointing experience akin to a watered-down Buffalo Trace. You can find better value bourbons elsewhere.

Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon: A Top Shelf Single Barrel Choice

• Nose: Vanilla, caramel, oak, old leather
• Palate: Creamy vanilla, honeyed, baking spice, oak
• Finish: Long, honey, brown sugar, caramel
• Alcohol content: 93 proof (46.5% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon lives up to the hype. The aroma entices with a sweetness accented by hints of aged leather and oak. On the palate, the oily texture delivers a complex blend of butterscotch, vanilla, and subtle rye spice. The long finish continues the sweetness with a touch of intrigue thanks to a light medicinal note.

This bourbon is renowned for its quality, offering a smooth, deep, and thoroughly enjoyable sipping experience. Enjoy it neat or with minimal dilution, using a large ice ball or whiskey stones to preserve its complexity. Blanton’s Single Barrel stands out as a top choice for its price point, making it an excellent option among single barrel bourbons.

Blanton’s Gold: Richness at a Premium Price

• Nose: Ethanol, oak, vanilla, old leather
• Palate: Vanilla, honey, oak
• Finish: Long, caramel, oak
• Alcohol content: 103 proof (51.5% ABV)
• How to drink: Neat

Blanton’s Gold elevates the Single Barrel experience with a higher proof and richer body. The signature horse and jockey topper adds a touch of prestige, but also contributes to a steeper price tag.

The aroma reveals a hint of ethanol at first, but gives way to inviting notes of oak, vanilla, caramel, and leather. The creamy, slightly dry palate showcases flavors of vanilla, ripe fruit, oak char, and butterscotch. The finish is medium-to-long, with a blend of spicy and sweet oak complemented by vanilla and brown sugar.

Blanton’s Gold offers a bolder, more pronounced flavor profile compared to the Single Barrel. While this comes at a premium price, it remains a smooth and enjoyable bourbon. Whether the extra richness and the decorative topper justify the cost is a matter of personal preference.

Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel: Unfiltered Strength, Uncompromising Flavor

• Nose: Ethanol, vanilla, oak, dark, fruit
• Palate: Vanilla, butterscotch, baking spice, oak
• Finish: Long, dark fruit, brown sugar, caramel
• Alcohol content: 126 proof (63% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel breaks the mold. Unlike its siblings, it’s bottled straight from the barrel without chill filtration, offering an unadulterated bourbon experience. This results in a robust, full-bodied whiskey with a powerful 126 proof.

The aroma is bold with dark fruits, brown sugar, and baking spice. The palate is surprisingly smooth and creamy, featuring deep, dry flavors. The long, warm finish lingers with dark fruit notes, showcasing a remarkably rich bourbon despite its high alcohol content.

This bottling is ideal for those who appreciate a strong, unfiltered bourbon experience. Be prepared for the higher proof, but be rewarded with a complex and satisfying dram.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Blanton’s Bourbon Good and Worth the Price?

• Blanton’s, particularly its Single-Barrel and Straight from the Barrel expressions, is highly regarded for its quality, complexity, and rich flavors, making it a worthwhile choice for bourbon enthusiasts.
• The added cost for the gold jockey topper on Blanton’s Gold, however, may not be justifiable for all, as it does not significantly enhance the tasting experience.

What Makes Blanton’s Bourbon Special?

• Blanton’s is unique for its specific barrel selection from Warehouse H at the Buffalo Trace Distillery.
• This strategic selection is key to its distinct flavor profile and high quality, contributing to its special status in the bourbon world.