Blanton's Original Single Barrel

Community ratings for Benchmark Single Barrel Bourbon are typically within.25 to.50 of accurate, as people tend to exaggerate when they like or dislike something, which skews the rankings. Blanton's is a prime example of a spirit people get disproportionately excited about, and for good reason; it's a solid pour. I first tried it around 2012 and thought it was the best bourbon I'd ever had. I didn't realize how scarce it was then, partly because it was a birthday present and possibly less hard to find in 2012. I like the bottle design and kept the horse stopper. Fast forward 14 years. Blanton's is now allocated. I might be biased against allocated products, but I still buy them when I see them, especially in PA where state stores can't charge secondary prices. This means I can get Eagle Rare for $35, Blanton's for $60, and Weller at MSRP. I buy them because the price is fair for the quality. Yet, I question paying $60 for Blanton's when I could get Larceny Barrel Proof for the same price, or ECBP for a bit more. Frankly, after 14 years, I've tasted better. Last April, I saw Blanton's at the state store and bought two, since two are allowed per purchase. The box copy claims, "The finest bourbon in the world comes from a single barrel," and likens Blanton's to the finest single malts and rarest cognacs. I disagree; while fine bourbons often come from single barrels, I've had Knob Creek Single Barrels superior to Blanton's. And comparing it to Scotch, I prefer any Islay (except maybe Laphroaig Select) to Blanton's. Still, their allocation strategy works on me. I fall for the rarity. People believe they're immune to marketing, but we're all susceptible. Even when aware of the tactics, there's a subconscious pull, like a tractor beam. Regarding tasting notes: it's bourbon. I sometimes grow weary of them. Bourbons inherently have vanilla, caramel, and oak notes, which are present here. Compared to Benchmark, these flavors are more pronounced and robust in Blanton's. The nose has a creaminess reminiscent of a root beer float: French vanilla ice cream with a hint of root beer tang. The palate is fruity, featuring stone fruits like peaches and nectarines, alongside juicy summer fruits, vanilla, and caramel. The finish is smooth, with fruitiness taking precedence over vanilla and caramel, offering sweetness instead of spice. I suppose I'm becoming jaded because numerous companies now produce excellent, intriguing spirits. While Blanton's might have been special once, it's not particularly so anymore. Is it delicious? Absolutely. It holds its own. Does it merit a 4.25 community rating? I think that's excessive. People are pleased it's genuinely good when they manage to acquire it. However, superior bourbons are more readily available, and with the market's constant expansion, you don't need to spend much to find comparable quality. Blanton's relies on scarcity and self-proclaimed mythology, as detailed on its packaging. They've used their history to convince us of its uniqueness. It might have been exceptional in the past, but not so much now.

This might be the sole instance where an unusual bottle design isn't just a blatant marketing ploy, though it might have been back then. Beyond that, what else is there to say? It's excellent; it's overpriced; it's hard to find; it's not what it used to be; it's not that great. Personally, I lean towards "excellent." I'll go further: as someone who values quantitative and qualitative assessment, I'm focused on how any spirit, wine, or other item isn't just an isolated entity with inherent characteristics, but part of a larger system of influencing factors. Tonight, we're pairing Blanton's with coffee ice cream from a local spot. Coffee beans are said to neutralize palate effects when tasting wine, for example. Here, it just tastes good, and since I've already written three wine reviews, I wanted ice cream. And Blanton's. So, here we go. It's as if I'm wearing polarized sunglasses, revealing hidden depths. The lenses are brown, making everything appear technicolor. That's the effect of the coffee ice cream on Blanton's. It elevates it, like a chef kicking things up a notch. There's more oak, more caramel, more chocolate-covered cherries, more pipe tobacco, and more saddle leather. In a prior review, I described Blanton's as the "Mercedes E-Class of bourbon"—functional and well-executed without being flashy. The coffee ice cream transforms it into an AMG E63. It's seriously impressive. These unusual comparisons trace back to a pivotal moment in my whiskey journey: a true revelation when I discovered how a specific beer affected a particular Scotch whisky... but I'll save that story for another time. As for Blanton's, I have ample stock and will restock if I find it at a reasonable price. You can't truly experience (or collect) bourbon without Blanton's. An easy 4.5 score from the community.

SELECTED BY // Spec’s NEAT NOSE - A delightful aroma with classic bourbon characteristics: vanilla, mild oak, honey, and caramel. PALATE - The flavors from the nose carry through to the palate, accompanied by a subtle orange note. The texture is pleasingly oily. FINISH - A faint rye spice emerges at the end, with lingering notes from the palate. The finish is of moderate duration. BUY? Recommended for first-time purchasers. It's difficult not to acquire one, even if you've sampled it elsewhere. However, the price increase from $60 to $90-100 is disappointing. Anything above $70 is excessive, making $90 a significant stretch. BUY AGAIN? - I would prefer Blanton’s Gold, though I also find its MSRP questionable. Ultimately, this is a very good bourbon, but not at its current price point from Buffalo Trace. I might purchase a bottle annually, but I've stopped actively searching for it.

While traveling recently, I found a bottle priced below market value ($75), significantly cheaper than a pour at a local bar, so I purchased it. What more can be said? I found the official review perplexing: how can a bourbon noted for its "complexity" only score an 89? The aroma presents caramel apple, pomander, vanilla, spearmint, and licorice. The mouthfeel is slightly viscous. The 93 proof is well-integrated. The finish is medium-to-long with notes of coffee and oak. Would I purchase it again? Yes, particularly when traveling and unable to access my own collection. It received a 4.5 score from the community. Dump date 9-12-25. Bottle 53 from barrel 714, warehouse H, rick 55.

A top pick for me! It always hits the spot. Aged 6-8 years, 93 proof (I'd prefer it stronger; I need to find the 'straight from the barrel' version). NOSE: It smells like a freshly baked sourdough loaf floating on the air… with vanilla ice cream. TASTE: When I consider Blanton's, I always imagine raisins and dried fruits… caramel candy… a pleasant mix of sweet and oak. Adding 2-3 drops of water reduces the sweetness but amplifies the spice. The finish feels like a spicy candy reappearing to give your tongue a mild cinnamon bite. Three excellent pours experienced thus far!

Dumped on 1/23/25 from barrel number 479, Warehouse H, Rick 70. The bottle is beautifully crafted and feels premium. The nose on this pour was slightly medicinal with notes of cherry and vanilla. The taste was initially rich and oaky with a burn that transitioned into a smooth finish. The aftertaste contained chocolate and spices reminiscent of a traditional Mexican “café de olla”.