Hancock’s vs Blanton’s: Which Wins?

Discover the differences between Hancock’s Single Barrel vs Blanton’s Single Barrel in this head to head comparison and decide which Bourbon is better for You!

Hancock’s President’s Reserve Single Barrel

Nose	Ripe fruit, almond, coconut
Palate	Vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, oak
Finish	Caramel, oak spice
Alcohol content	89 proof (44.45% ABV)
How to drink	Add water
Similar to	Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare

The nose is light with a ripe fruit scent coming at first, followed by almond, a coconut note and a tad of oak.

On the palate, Hancock’s has a medium body lacking a bit in texture. Flavor is smooth, although a but muted, rich in vanilla, with hints of caramel, cinnamon and just a light note of oak.

The finish has a decent length, with very little to no warmth, with a hint of caramel and but somewhat bitter as it’s a bit high in oak spice.

Adding a dash of water brings a bit of spice and oak to it making it a little tastier.

Hancock’s is smooth with nothing offensive but nothing remarkable to talk about especially for its current price for which I would be expecting a bit more.

You can definitely find better bourbons at this price range.

There is one fact worth knowing about Hancock’s:

• Lacks age statement

Blanton’s Single Barrel

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	Neat
Similar to	Eagle Rare, Weller 107

Nose is rich in honey and caramel, with an old leather hint and a whiff of oak coming behind.

On the palate, Blanton’s offers traditional bourbon flavors, is rich in butterscotch, vanilla and moderate rye spice only than richer and creamier than your typical bourbon.

The Blanton’s Single Barrel is just so smooth with the right amount of sweetness and oak making a super easy yet complex and interesting pour.

The finish is long, sweet and pleasantly warm with a bit of a NyQuil note coming late to the party.

Blanton’s is worth the hype, this is a super smooth and perfectly balanced bourbon with a creamy body making an entirely rewarding sipper; the best of all is that it is still reasonably priced and widely available.

Blanton’s Single Barrel drinks beautifully neat with no need to add water or ice to it.

There are a few facts worth knowing about Blanton’s Single Barrel:

• Blanton’s Single Barrel does not have an age statement but is typically aged for 6 to 8 years.

• Earned the Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2012.

• Named “liquid gold” in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.

What do Hancock’s and Blanton’s have in common?

Both made at the Buffalo Trace Distillery using the same mash bill

Hancock’s Single Barrel is crafted at the Buffalo Trace Distillery using the same mash bill as Blanton’s Single Barrel.

These mash is known as Mash # 2 and carries around 12% to 15% rye in the mash. Elmer T. Lee and Rock Hill Farms are also crafted using this mash.

The difference lies in Blanton’s barrels coming from warehouse H which Colonel Blanton identified as the best place to age whiskey.

Hancock’s vs Blanton’s: Price comparison

Prices are approximate and stated in USD:

Bourbon	Price
Hancock’s Single Barrel	$120
Blanton’s Single Barrel	$130

Hancock’s vs Blanton’s: Which is better?

Blanton’s delivers a better experience

Whiskey	Hancock’s	Blanton’s
Nose	✅	✅
Body		✅
Palate		✅
Finish		✅
Value		✅

• There are many tasting notes in common as these bourbons are crafted at the same distillery using the same mash bill, yet Hancock’s feels weak and muted delivering a dull sip.

• Blanton’s is good and well worth the hype as it’s a tasty, yet smooth bourbon delivering a solid experience from nose to finish as it has no let downs.