We really thought our Kentucky Bourbon tasting experience was over… Then out popped a bourbon repeat from an earlier session – Blanton’s Single-Barrel Bourbon.

Bourbon there is a-plenty, however single barrel bourbon is apparently a relatively newer phenomenon… with Blanton’s claiming fame for popularizing it in the 1980s.

Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon takes its name from Colonel Albert Blanton, who was known to entertain friends by serving them bourbon from Warehouse H – especially in the middle sections known as the centre cut – which he believed aged bourbon better. Col. Blanton would pick an individual barrel he liked best and have it bottled – known as his special select single barrel bourbons.

His apprentice, Elmer T. Lee was inspired by this approach, hence used this concept when crafting the new Blanton’s brand… or so the story goes…

You can see here the whisky we enjoyed was indeed from Warehouse H, bottled at 93 proof on 6-2-14.

Blanton is also know for its trademark set of eight stoppers – each in the series of  to see the race in action! Ours was at the starting point before the race takes off…

Now I have to be honest… we simply did not even think about tasting notes by that point in the evening. So you will simply have to suffice with what the Blanton’s folks have to say:

• Nose: A spicy aroma of Dried Citrus and Orange Peels with a hint of Caramel and Vanilla
• Palate: Full and soft, marked by a mix of Burnt Sugar, Caramel, Orange, and Cloves
• Finish: Balanced with Vanilla, Honey, and Citrus
• Best Served: Straight, on ice, or used in a premium cocktail

We then sat down to enjoy a North African themed meal – which paired rather well with the bourbons!

Our Kentucky bourbon night featured:

• WL Weller Special Reserve
• Buffalo Trace
• Barton’s 1792 Ridgemont Reserve
• Elijah Craig