Bourbons Similar to Blanton’s

Last Updated on: 3rd May 2024, 12:03 am

J Highland

J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.

With the assistance of whiskey expert Neil Coleman and valuable customer insights, I have assembled a list of similar bourbons to Blanton's and some alternatives to consider.

Written by: J Highland

Choosing the Best Alternative to Blanton's

Sweet & Smooth:

• Baker's Single Barrel (peanut forward, surprisingly smooth)
• E.H. Taylor (caramel, vanilla, minimal heat)
• Blanton's (classic, rye spice, creamy)

Bold & Spicy:

• Noah's Mill (dark fruit, cinnamon, roasted nuts)
• Benchmark Bonded (Buffalo Trace character, budget-friendly)

Oaky Adventure:

• Russell's Single Barrel (Wild Turkey legend, complex)
• Eagle Rare (cousin to Blanton's, oak-forward)

Easy Sipping:

• Rowan's Creek (approachable sweetness)
• Willett Bourbon (smooth, touch of spice)

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 Similar Bourbons to Blanton's

Prices are approximate and stated in USD:

Russell's Single Barrel: Hand-Picked Excellence by Wild Turkey Legend

• Nose: Cherry, vanilla, brown sugar, oak
• Palate: Fruity, baking spices, vanilla, charred oak
• Finish: Long, spice, citrus, charred oak
• Alcohol content: 100 proof (50% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Wild Turkey's Russell's Single Barrel stands out. Master distiller Jimmy Russell hand-selects each barrel, ensuring a unique character. Bottled at full proof and unfiltered, it delivers a powerful punch presenting a top alternative to Blanton's.

The nose entices with rich cherry, vanilla, brown sugar, and oak. The palate explodes with fruit, baking spice, and creamy vanilla custard, all balanced by charred oak. The finish lingers with delightful spice, orange zest, and toasty oak.

This isn't just bourbon; it's a well-crafted experience brimming with richness, complexity, and warmth – a testament to Jimmy Russell's expertise, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

Related: Top Single Barrel Bourbons

Rowan's Creek: Sweet & Easy for Casual Sipping

• Nose: Caramel, brown sugar, oak
• Palate: Dark fruit, vanilla, rye spice, brown sugar, oak
• Finish: Dry, oak, apple peel
• Alcohol content: 100 proof (50% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Rowan's Creek keeps things simple. The nose is light and sweet with caramel, brown sugar, and a touch of oak. The taste follows suit - fruity sweetness, vanilla, and brown sugar balanced by gentle rye spice and oak. The finish is dryish with oak and apple peel, lacking heat.

This is a bourbon for easy enjoyment. It's approachable, sweet, and conceals its 100 proof well. If you're looking for a smooth, uncomplicated sipper, Rowan's Creek hits the spot.

Benchmark Bonded: Blanton's Budget Brother Packs a Punch

• Nose: Ethanol, orange, cinnamon, toasted nuts
• Palate: Vanilla, caramel, oak, brown sugar, baking spice
• Finish: Oak spice, baking spice, orange
• Alcohol content: 100 proof (50% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Benchmark Bonded offers a wallet-friendly alternative to Blanton's, but it's not just about the price. This Buffalo Trace gem boasts a distinct mash bill with surprising similarities to Blanton's. The nose starts with a touch of alcohol but gives way to orange, cinnamon, and toasted nuts. The palate is bold with vanilla, caramel, oak, and baking spice. The finish is long and warm, lingering with spice and orange.

This high-proof bourbon delivers exceptional value, showcasing bold Buffalo Trace character at a fraction of the cost. Be patient, let it breathe, and enjoy a delightful surprise.

E.H. Taylor: Smooth & Sweet From Blanton's Family

• Nose: Caramel charred oak, cinnamon
• Palate: Vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, oak
• Finish: Long, caramel, vanilla, old leather, oak
• Alcohol content: 100 proof (50% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

E.H. Taylor, a cousin to Blanton's, uses less rye in its mash bill, resulting in a sweeter profile. Bottled-in-bond at 100 proof, it's smooth and flavorful.

The nose offers caramel, oak, and cinnamon, followed by leather and honey. The taste is buttery with vanilla, caramel, oak, and a touch of spice. The finish echoes caramel, vanilla, leather, and oak.

This single barrel bourbon boasts sweetness, minimal heat, and balanced oak, all without needing water or ice.

Baker's Single Barrel: Beyond Age, A Smooth Peanut Powerhouse

• Nose: Caramel, vanilla, peanut, oak
• Palate: Baking spice, caramel, vanilla, oak
• Finish: Long, oak spice, caramel
• Alcohol content: 100 proof (50% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Don't let the 107 proof fool you - Baker's Single Barrel is surprisingly smooth. The nose starts warm but transitions to caramel, vanilla, peanuts, and oak. The taste is creamy with gentle heat, offering baking spice, caramel, oak, and a prominent peanut note that lingers on the finish.

This single barrel bourbon surpasses the Small Batch version, boasting a depth that might belie its 7-year age. Each bottle provides details about its production, making it a personalized experience. Enjoy Baker's for its complexity, peanut punch, and smooth drinkability.

Noah's Mill: Warm Embrace of Dark Fruit and Spice

• Nose: Ethanol, dark fruit, cinnamon, vanilla, oak
• Palate: Nuts, citrus, cinnamon, burnt caramel, dark fruit
• Finish: Long, caramel, dark fruit
• Alcohol content: 100 proof (50% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Noah's Mill starts with a punch (that calms down!), revealing dark fruit, cinnamon, vanilla, and oak on the nose. The creamy palate is warm and full of character, offering roasted nuts, citrus, cinnamon, burnt caramel, and dark fruit alongside oak. The finish is long and warmly spiced, with lingering sweetness and a touch of oak.

This is a rich and flavorful bourbon, best enjoyed neat or with a touch of water to unlock more sweetness and roasted nut notes. While the heat is noticeable, it complements the complex profile of dark fruit, caramel, cinnamon, and roasted nuts, making it a delightful choice for those who enjoy a bold bourbon experience.

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked: Sweeter Depths Unveiled

• Nose: Oak, butterscotch, vanilla, brown sugar
• Palate: Vanilla, caramel, brown sugar, old leather
• Finish: Long, vanilla, butterscotch, espresso coffee
• Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked takes things a step further. After initial aging, it rests in specially toasted barrels for nine months, coaxing out deeper flavors.

The nose starts warm but transitions to oak, caramel, vanilla, and brown sugar. The first sip is warming, rich with vanilla, and layered with caramel, brown sugar, hints of leather, and toasty oak. The creamy mouthfeel lingers into a long finish, showcasing vanilla, butterscotch, and subtle coffee notes.

Eagle Rare vs. Blanton's: Oaky Delight vs. Smooth & Sweet (Buffalo Trace Cousins)

• Nose: Toasted oak, orange peel, maple syrup
• Palate: Oak, dried fruit, vanilla, caramel, baking spice
• Finish: Oak, tobacco, leather
• Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Eagle Rare and Blanton's, though from the same distillery, offer distinct experiences. Eagle Rare, aged for 10 years, leans oaky. Its nose hints at orange peel, red fruit, and maple syrup, but the palate is dominated by oak followed by vanilla, dried fruit, and spice. The finish is long with oak, leather, and tobacco. This may be too oak-forward for beginners, but seasoned drinkers love its smoothness and quality.

Blanton's, aged for 8 years, uses slightly more rye, resulting in a sweeter profile. While details are scarce, it likely has a similar tasting profile to Eagle Rare with a touch less oak and a bit more spice.

In short, Eagle Rare is the oaker, more mature sibling, while Blanton's is the smoother, slightly younger cousin.

Willett Bourbon: Sweet Sipper in a Stylish Decanter (Origin Mystery)

• Nose: French toast, caramel, oak
• Palate: Brown sugar, fruit, oak, spice
• Finish: Oak, leather, spice
• Alcohol content: 94 proof (47% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Willett Bourbon's origins remain shrouded in mystery, though rumors swirl about Heaven Hill (known for Elijah Craig and Evan Williams).

Regardless, the enticing aroma of French toast, caramel, and oak sets the stage for a pleasant experience. The taste leans sweet with ripe fruit, although it might feel a little thin on the palate. Hints of oak, caramel, and a touch of bitterness emerge, with minimal warmth. The finish lingers with spice, oak, and a subtle apple note.

Willett offers a smooth and easy-drinking experience, enjoyable for its simplicity. Plus, the unique decanter adds a touch of sophistication to any bourbon collection.

Blanton's: Smooth & Spicy Delight from Buffalo Trace (Rye's the Charm)

• 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, from Buffalo Trace, stands out from its siblings with a higher rye mash bill. Aged in Warehouse H, Colonel Blanton's secret weapon, it boasts a rich nose of honey, caramel, and aged leather. The palate steps up with butterscotch, vanilla, and a delightful rye spice, creating a creamier texture. The long finish is sweet, warm, and complex with a hint of intrigue.

Blanton's lives up to the hype - smooth, balanced, and widely available at a fair price. Enjoy it neat to fully appreciate its depth.

Selection Criteria for Bourbons Similar to Blanton's:

• Flavor Profile: Core caramel, vanilla, and baking spice notes must be exhibited.
• Mash Bill Composition: Preference for bourbons with a composition that aligns with Blanton's to ensure flavor similarity.
• Aging Process: Consideration of the aging process to ensure a similar depth and richness of flavor.
• Consumer Reviews: Considering feedback and reviews from bourbon enthusiasts and experts.
• Price Range: A diverse selection to cater to various budgets, from affordable options to premium choices.
• Availability: Bourbons that are relatively easy to find in the market, ensuring readers can try them out.