
Blanton’s is a name that needs no introduction among bourbon enthusiasts. Yet for many, it’s not the name but the iconic bottle design, topped with a horse and jockey, that makes it instantly recognisable. Even at its most accessible, Blanton’s is positioned as a premium bourbon, firmly associated with high-end whiskey culture and American pop culture alike.
But Blanton’s is more than just eye-catching packaging. It has the pedigree to back it up. The brand was launched in 1984 as the world’s first commercial single barrel bourbon, a concept that helped shape the modern premium bourbon market. However, the knowledge and expertise behind Blanton’s go back even further, particularly to the late 1940s, when key figures were refining the techniques that would later define the brand.
This particular bottle, Blanton’s Gold, is crafted for those who appreciate complexity and smoothness and are willing to pay for the privilege. So, marketing and history aside, how does the whiskey itself measure up?
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.
Jade Cox is an up-and-coming distiller at the new CrownWorks Distillery in the Midlands, as well as a passionate spirits reviewer, and OurWhisky Foundation graduate. Jade has a particular fondness for Bourbon and Irish whiskey, as she feels it embodies her philosophy for life perfectly: “All good things are a perfect blend of proven theory and bold experimentation”.

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