Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon 750ML

Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon 750ML is a Kentucky straight bourbon widely credited as the first commercially marketed single barrel bourbon in the world. Introduced in 1984 by Master Distiller Emeritus Elmer T. Lee at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, each bottle is drawn from a single barrel rather than blended across multiple casks. Bottled at 93 proof (46.5% ABV), Blanton's uses Buffalo Trace's higher-rye Mash Bill #2, which gives it a spicier, more complex character than many standard bourbons. The iconic bottle shape and collectible horse-and-jockey stopper — eight different poses spelling out B-L-A-N-T-O-N-S — have made it one of the most recognizable bottles on any shelf.

Tasting Notes:

Aroma: Warm caramel and honey hit first, followed by toasted vanilla, dried orange peel, and a dusting of cinnamon bark. Underneath those sweeter notes, you'll catch hints of charred oak and a subtle nuttiness that signals the rye content in the mashbill.

Taste: The entry is smooth and rounded — brown sugar, butterscotch, and ripe stone fruit coat the palate immediately. At mid-palate, the higher rye mashbill asserts itself with baking spice, clove, and a flicker of black pepper. There is a pleasant weight here, medium-full, with enough viscosity to feel substantial without heaviness.

Finish: Long and warming, with lingering caramel, toasted oak tannins, and a dry spice that slowly fades. A gentle heat at 93 proof rounds out the experience without ever turning aggressive.

How to Drink Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon:

Sipping neat or with a single large ice cube is the best way to experience the barrel-specific nuances that make each bottle of Blanton's slightly different from the next. In an Old Fashioned, the rich caramel backbone and rye spice stand up well to bitters and a sugar cube without getting lost. A Manhattan built with Blanton's leans into the bourbon's dried fruit and vanilla character, creating a more robust variation on the classic. For a Whiskey Sour, the 93-proof weight holds its own against fresh citrus and provides enough sweetness to reduce the need for heavy simple syrup.

Best For:

• Sipping neat as a Kentucky single barrel bourbon
• Classic Old Fashioneds and Manhattans with depth
• Gifting to bourbon collectors and whiskey enthusiasts
• Building a single barrel bourbon collection

Frequently Asked Questions:

What does Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon taste like? Blanton's delivers rich caramel, butterscotch, and stone fruit up front, followed by a spicy rye kick of cinnamon, clove, and black pepper. The finish is long and warming with toasted oak and a dry spice that lingers.

How does Blanton's Single Barrel compare to Eagle Rare 10 Year? Both are produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery, but Blanton's uses the higher-rye Mash Bill #2, giving it more spice and pepper, while Eagle Rare uses the lower-rye Mash Bill #1 and carries a 10-year age statement that leans toward deeper oak and toffee notes. Blanton's is bottled at 93 proof versus Eagle Rare's 90 proof, and its single barrel selection means more variation from bottle to bottle.

Is Blanton's Single Barrel good for sipping neat? Blanton's is one of the most popular neat-sipping bourbons available, with enough complexity at 93 proof to reward slow drinking without overwhelming heat. The single barrel nature means each bottle has its own subtle personality worth exploring.

Where is Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon made? Blanton's is produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in the United States. Each barrel is aged in the distillery's famous metal-clad Warehouse H, which Elmer T. Lee specifically selected for its temperature fluctuations that accelerate maturation.

What foods pair well with Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon? The caramel sweetness and rye spice pair exceptionally well with smoked brisket, pecan pie, dark chocolate truffles, sharp aged cheddar, and grilled pork chops with a brown sugar glaze.

Why Buy Blanton's?

Blanton's holds a singular place in bourbon history as the bottle that launched the entire single barrel category in 1984. It was named after Colonel Albert B. Blanton, who oversaw the distillery for more than 55 years beginning in the early 1900s and was known for hand-selecting exceptional barrels for special occasions. Buffalo Trace Distillery — a National Historic Landmark — has been producing whiskey on the same Frankfort, Kentucky site for over 200 years. The combination of historical significance, barrel-by-barrel variation, and consistent quality at an accessible 93 proof has kept Blanton's among the most sought-after American whiskeys for four decades.