Blanton's Gold Edition is the stronger sister of the original single barrel, bottled at 103 proof. This 700mL bottle is the European-market version, with more weight and spice than the 93 proof Original.
About This Bourbon
Gold Edition was the second Blanton's to be created after the Original, and was first made for markets outside the US; it only reached American shelves in limited quantities from 2020. It is drawn from single barrels in Warehouse H and bottled at 51.5% ABV (103 proof). The 700mL size marks it as a European bottling, while Japanese and US versions come in 750mL. The distillery describes a nose of rye spice and tobacco followed by caramel, honey and dark fruit.
Tasting Profile
- Nose: Rye spice and tobacco leaf, then caramel, honey, dark fruit and citrus.
- Palate: Full and slightly dry, with honey, toffee, tobacco, dried fruit and cracked pepper.
- Finish: Long, with charred oak, vanilla and a slow build of spice.
Serving & Food
Take it neat in a Glencairn first, then add a small splash of water to open the dark fruit. Smoked duck, braised beef short rib or aged Gouda can handle its strength.
How to Enjoy
Blanton's drinkers ready for more weight, and a good birthday bottle for a bourbon lover.
Product Details
Producer: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Style: Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey
Release Type: Single barrel
Mash Bill: Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #2 (higher rye)
Proof: 103
ABV: 51.5%
Format: 700mL
Country: USA
About the Distillery
Blanton's was the first modern bourbon sold one barrel at a time. Master Distiller Elmer T. Lee created it in 1984, a year before he retired, in honour of Colonel Albert B. Blanton, who joined the Frankfort distillery as an office boy in 1897, became president in 1921 and led it until 1952. The Colonel liked to pick his own "honey barrels" from Warehouse H for guests, and Lee built the brand on that habit.
Warehouse H is a metal-clad building, so it warms and cools faster than the brick warehouses around it and the spirit works in and out of the oak more actively. Blanton's is distilled at Buffalo Trace from its higher-rye Mash Bill #2, and each bottle is hand-labelled with its barrel, rick and dump date. The brand itself is owned by Age International, part of Japan's Takara group, which is why several versions exist only outside the US.