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Bourbon Review: Blanton’s Original Single Barrel

Blanton’s Original Single Barrel Bourbon debuted in 1984 under the guidance of Master Distiller Elmer T. Lee at Buffalo Trace Distillery.

OVERALL RATING

8
$86
  • Phil Dwyer is a freelance whisky writer and consultant with over a decade of experience in whisky retail and online whisky education. Best known for hosting Whisky Wednesday on YouTube, he is dedicated to making whisky accessible and enjoyable by cutting through jargon and complexity.
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Tasting Notes

About:

First released in 1984 under the guidance of Elmer T. Lee, named after the famous Colonel Albert B. Blanton. This was the first ever marketed single barrel bourbon released to the public. Always sourced from Warehouse H at Buffalo Trace, and built up from Mash-bill No. 2 which has a higher rye content, Blanton’s is one of the most sought-after whisky products in the world.
Appearance:
Dark Orange.
Nose:
Blanton’s always has this incredible aroma of fresh orange and caramel running through it. You have all of these classic bourbon notes, too. Vanilla, caramel, a little bit of tropical fruit like coconut and mango – but I would only ever describe Blanton’s as a fruit driven bourbon, the higher rye notes possibly playing into that. Loads of peach, lemon zest, waves of rich caramel sauce. So wonderful to smell.
Palate:
Things start off with those touches of fruit, but we quickly move into some classic bourbon territory of spicy virgin oak, slightly drying around the sides of the tongue, and more motions of caramel, vanilla, coconut and peach – this particular sample is extremely peach driven.
Finish:
A medium length finish with more of those wonderful orange caramel notes pulsating around your mouth. You do get a little bit of those rye notes throwing some cinnamon and mace notes at you, but that’s very subtle in comparison to higher ABV expressions of Blanton’s
Comments:
This is really good bourbon, undeniably. It’s just a shame about the increasing prices on shelves across the range. When this was £50 a bottle and easy to find, it was an incredible bottle – but when you start paying out three figures or more, it becomes hard to defend. You can find equally complex bourbons and whiskeys for a far lower price tag. With that being said, Blanton’s is without doubt delicious, and also carries with it an incredible history. If you can afford to shell out $100 for a bottle, it might be worth it for you.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Phil Dwyer

Phil Dwyer is a freelance whisky writer and consultant. With a decade of experience in whisky retail and nearly as long running Whisky Wednesday on YouTube, Phil is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with fellow whisky lovers. His goal is to make whisky accessible and enjoyable, dispelling the jargon and complexity that can sometimes surround the spirit. In addition to his online presence, Phil managed The Whisky Shop Manchester, where he curated an impressive selection of some of the finest drams available.

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