Blanton's Single Barrel Red Label (Japanese Edition)

To indulge my current fascination with Blanton's, I decided to try two of their Japanese market releases tonight; the first is Red. The aroma is very sweet and rich, smelling of butterscotch and brandied cherries, fading into notes of damp oak chips. Sweet spices hit the palate intensely and quickly, like cinnamon and nutmeg, bringing a tingling sensation to the tongue. As the flavor subsides into the finish, a sweet and delightful wave of caramel and vanilla momentarily overcomes the spicy heat. A taste resembling salted caramel lingers on the mid-palate, accompanied by the faintest hint of rye spice and a touch of that cinnamon and nutmeg, carrying the sip into memory. I'm not sure any bourbon can match Blanton's Original Single Barrel, but this is remarkable in its own way. Spicier and fuller-bodied than its less aged, more common single barrel counterpart, this bourbon is perfect for a cold, rainy evening.

Nose- Sweet cherries, citrus, vanilla, bubble gum Palate- Initial bubble gum sweetness, citrus, a very slight hint of oak Finish- Medium length, oily finish with sweet citrus notes Somewhat basic. A pleasant drink, but not very complex, and the two-year increase in age from the original Blanton's is not noticeable to me at all. All sweetness on the nose, a bit of oak on the palate, and an unmemorable finish.

My first time tasting a sample. Aroma - Quite similar to the standard version. Abundant honey and vanilla. Taste - Golden honey graham crackers, vanilla, oak, with a bitter and brief end. Overall - I feel this is significantly overpriced on the secondary market. Essentially, to me, it's the standard version in a Japanese bottle. It's very good but not worth the secondary price.

Nose: Lemon, green apple, sugar. Body: More green apple, vanilla. Perhaps even some strawberry, which is unusual for this brand to me. Finish: Cinnamon. A touch of chocolate. I genuinely believe this surpasses the standard version. In a direct comparison, I might be mistaken, but it's enjoyable to think so. Really liked this bottle.

The aroma immediately presents cherry and candy notes, with a more subdued buttery quality. The taste echoes the cherry candy, proving quite pleasant and sweet. However, the experience concludes swiftly, fading quickly with only a soft vanilla finish. Nevertheless, a satisfying encounter!

I definitely like this version more than the standard Blanton's. The additional two years of aging, making it eight years old, makes a significant difference. I also appreciate the enhanced spice with prominent nutmeg and cinnamon undertones. The overall finish is outstanding. I suggest drinking this straight.