Blanton's Gold Edition | Single Barrel Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review
Company: Blanton's Distilling Company owned by The Sazerac Company
Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Proof: 103 Proof (Nice!)
Mash bill: Buffalo Trace High Rye (12-15%) Mashbill #2, At least 51% corn, Malted Barley
Age: NAS but probably around 8-9 years old
MSRP: $120
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Fool Proof Rating and Summary of Tasting Notes
Color: Deep copper
Nose: Vanilla, fresh pancakes, light caramel, dark fruit, and faint pipe tobacco
Palate: Vanilla, rye spice, raw honey, light caramel, nutmeg and oak
Finish: Very nice medium to long finish that ends with raw honey, rye and oak
Feel: Moderate viscosity with a nice mouth coating
See below for an in-depth review.
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For all my tastings I use either the Libbey Signature Kentucky Bourbon Trail Whiskey Glass or a traditional Glencairn glass. They both are great for nosing and help in discerning more subtle notes.
In-Depth Review of Blanton's Gold
In 1984, Elmer T. Lee revolutionized the bourbon world by creating a single-barrel version named after former distillery president Colonel Blanton, who would often handpick special barrels from Warehouse H to share with others. Fast-forward decades later and you have one of the most established award-winning bourbons on the market - Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbons.
Blanton's Gold Edition is a single-barrel bourbon produced by the Buffalo Trace Distillery. The secret lies in the proprietary sour Mash Bill #2 used in its production, which uses a high rye ratio (12%-15%). This same mash bill is used by Buffalo Trace for all of Blanton's products, Elmer T. Lee and Rock Hill Farms as well as a few others.
This particular mash bill gives the bourbon a distinct and slightly spicy flavor profile that sets it apart from other bourbons. The Buffalo Trace Distillery is known for its attention to detail and craftsmanship, which is reflected in the quality of Blanton's Gold Edition.
Blanton's Single Barrel Gold Edition takes everything that is good about the original Blanton's Bourbon and just makes it better! With a 103-proof rating, this limited edition spirit is highly sought-after among connoisseurs everywhere for its robust flavor profile that definitely impressed me.
Blanton's Bourbon is a solid choice for any bourbon drinker, but if you're looking for something truly special, the Gold Edition is where it's at. As someone who has tried the original and found it a bit lacking in terms of flavor and excitement, I can honestly say that the Gold Edition blew me away.
The balance of flavors is remarkable, with tasting notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak all present in perfect harmony. While I'm not here to push you towards any particular brand, I would highly recommend giving this one a try if you're a fan of bourbon.
This is one of those bourbons that had me saying "Man, this stuff is just good"!
This bottle of Blantons Gold single barrel bourbon from the Buffalo Trace Distillery was taken from warehouse H, rick number 8, barrel number 165, and was dumbed 2-27-2023.
Nose
As a whiskey enthusiast, I have had my fair share of experiences with different blends and brands. Blanton's Gold single barrel bourbon is a standout for me, especially when it comes to its nose. On the first inhale, the scent is incredibly inviting.
It's a complex mix of vanilla, fresh pancakes, light caramel, dark fruit, and even a faint hint of pipe tobacco notes. It's no wonder that the nose of this bourbon has become its signature feature. It's a beautifully balanced bouquet that promises a warm and smooth drinking experience. Spoiler alert...it delivers on that promise!
Palate
I was thoroughly impressed by the flavor profile of this Gold Edition. The palate truly delivers on the nose's promise, showcasing a spectrum of flavors that dance across your taste buds. The vanilla and rye spice make a bold entrance and are quickly succeeded by the gentle sweetness of raw honey and light caramel.
As the bourbon continues to linger on the tongue, dried fruits, nutmeg, and oak notes become more pronounced, adding a delightful complexity to the experience. It's no wonder why this iteration of Blantons has garnered such a devoted following among bourbon enthusiasts - the taste is truly remarkable. "Man, this stuff is good"!
Finish
After tasting Blanton's Gold Label, I couldn't help but appreciate the interesting finish that followed. It wasn't too short or too long, but just the right length. As the flavors dissipated, I could taste the light honey, rye, and oak. What really stood out to me was how nicely the flavors came together in the end.
The oak gave it a certain depth while the raw honey added sweetness, and the rye added a bit of spice. All in all, I felt like I had just experienced a well-balanced and expertly crafted whiskey with Blanton's Gold Edition.
Feel
It has a moderately viscous feel with a nice, warm mouth coating.
Overall
Blanton's Gold is a fantastic bourbon that has managed to elevate the brand's Blanton's Original Single Barrel flavor profile to an entirely new level. From the moment I took my first sip, I knew that I was in for a treat. The whiskey is exceptionally balanced, with just the right amount of sweetness and a great finish that leaves you wanting more.
What really sets this bottle of Blanton's apart from other bourbons is the fact that it's just plain fun to drink. As someone who takes pride in my ability to spot quality spirits, I have to say that Blanton's Gold Edition impressed me. Throughout the entire tasting I could not stop saying "Man, this stuff is good"! This is a honey barrel for sure and would be a great bourbon for a special occasion.
Other Buffalo Trace bourbons that use the same proprietary sour mash bill #2 as Blanton's Gold Edition include Blanton's Single Barrel, Blanton's Straight From The Barrel, Rock Hill Farms, and Elmer T. Lee.
I'm giving this a Fool-Proof Rating of 92%.
I would like to thank my friend Jared for providing me with this fantastic pour!
Check out my review of Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel here.
Check out my review of Eagle Rare 17 Year here also from Buffalo Trace Distillery
Check out my review of Van Winkle 12 Year Lot B here also from Buffalo Trace Distillery
Use my exclusive Caskers.com discount code: WHISKEYFOOL10 to receive $10 off qualifying* orders. Copy and paste to use at checkout.
*$100 or more
I would love to hear from you! Drop me a comment below and let me know what you think of this whiskey.
Below are my favorite glasses for doing tastings. The Libbey Signature Kentucky Bourbon Trail Whiskey Glass is my favorite because it has a little more heft to it and feels better in my hand than the traditional Glencairn glass does.
Tags: Blantons gold, charred oak, American bourbon, world's fines whiskey, dark stone fruits, complex nose