Blanton's Single Barrel: The Bottle That Launched a Thousand Hunts
That iconic horse-topped bottle started the single barrel revolution. But three decades later, is Blanton's still worth the chase—or just the shelf decor?
Blanton's occupies a fascinating paradox in bourbon culture: it is both the bottle that democratized single barrel bourbon and the one that has come to symbolize everything frustrating about the allocation era. Those collectible horse toppers have adorned more Instagram feeds than Kentucky mantels, and the hunt for Blanton's has become a rite of passage that says more about the hunter than the quarry.
Let's separate the bottle from the bourbon. At its core, Blanton's is a well-made, pleasant single barrel from Buffalo Trace's high-rye Mashbill #2. The nose offers honeysuckle and vanilla, a pleasant citrus peel brightness, and soft caramel notes that invite without overwhelming. It's an approachable aroma—welcoming, almost friendly—which is precisely what made it so popular in the first place.
The palate delivers a classic bourbon profile executed with competence: light caramel, honey, vanilla, brown sugar, and a touch of leather. There's some charred oak and rye spice in the mid-palate that adds structure, but at 93 proof, Blanton's plays it relatively safe. The mouthfeel is pleasant without being particularly viscous, and the flavors, while well-balanced, don't reach for the complexity that modern bourbon drinkers have come to crave.
The finish is crisp and medium-length, with vanilla, caramel, dry leather, and a light peppercorn warmth that fades gracefully. It's a polished close to a polished bourbon—nothing to criticize, nothing to write sonnets about.
Here's our honest assessment: at MSRP ($55), Blanton's is a good bourbon that earns its place on any shelf. The single barrel format means occasional exceptional dumps that genuinely impress. But the secondary market prices ($120-200+) are indefensible when E.H. Taylor, Four Roses Single Barrel, and Wild Turkey Rare Breed offer equal or superior experiences at or near retail. Enjoy the horse toppers. Just don't let them gallop away with your wallet.
