Few bottles spark extra dialog amongst bourbon followers than Blanton’s. As soon as a sleeper hit on the cabinets, it’s now a poster little one for the fashionable whiskey hunt. With its distinctive bottle, collectible horse stoppers, and single barrel promise, Blanton’s has gone from bourbon curiosity to full-blown cult traditional. However in 2025, when allocations are tight and costs are excessive, the query stands: is Blanton’s nonetheless value it?
A Transient Historical past: The First Single Barrel Bourbon
Blanton’s launched in 1984 beneath the steering of Buffalo Hint’s Elmer T. Lee, who created it in honor of Colonel Albert B. Blanton, the person who had mentored Lee throughout his years on the distillery. Lee had witnessed Blanton choose single barrels for visitors to pattern on the distillery when he was entertaining, and determined to create the Blanton’s model as certainly one of his final acts earlier than retiring in 1984.
The idea of a single barrel bourbon was radical on the time: a bourbon bottled from a single barrel somewhat than batched. It was geared toward Japan first, with the U.S. market initially sluggish to catch on.
Nick Beiter, for Breaking Bourbon, sums up its early popularity properly: “Within the Nineteen Nineties, it was a incessantly ignored paperweight… its $45 price ticket was thought-about excessive on the time.”
Quick ahead to 2025, and it’s a special story. The usual Blanton’s Single Barrel is now a ‘unicorn bourbon’, extremely wanted by drinkers and collectors alike. In lots of elements of the U.S., it seems in lotteries, sells out in minutes, or is flipped for double or triple retail value.
What You’re Paying For
So, what are you truly paying for once you shell out for a bottle of Blanton’s in 2025? Firstly, there may be the matter of the packaging, which has undoubtedly made Blanton’s some of the recognizable bourbons on each shelf.
There’s no denying Blanton’s is fantastically packaged. As Minnick places it: “Blanton’s bundle is arms down the perfect in all of bourbon… Each inch of the label and bottle feels particular.” Every bottle additionally comes with a collectible horse stopper – get all eight they usually spell “B-L-A-N-T-O-N-S.” It’s improbable advertising and marketing, and has little question contributed considerably to the collectibility of Blanton’s.
However packaging apart, it’s what’s inside that counts. So, how does the whiskey maintain up?
Blanton’s Authentic: The Gateway Unicorn
The flagship Blanton’s Authentic is bottled at 93 proof and produced from Buffalo Hint’s high-rye mash invoice. It delivers traditional notes: vanilla, caramel, orange peel, and spice.
Jordan Moskal at Breaking Bourbon calls it “constantly stable,” with a “candy and alluring nostril of honey, vanilla and caramel” and a palate that “suggestions towards comfortable caramel, brown sugar and a contact of rye spice.”
Phil Dwyer agrees, noting “orange and caramel aromas” and a end that delivers “orange-infused caramel and delicate cinnamon.”
In different phrases: it’s good bourbon. However it’s not the perfect bourbon you’ll ever style. At its $65 MSRP, most reviewers say it’s stable worth. However above that? The returns diminish shortly.
Phil Dwyer added in his evaluation: “That is actually good bourbon, undeniably. It’s only a disgrace concerning the growing costs on cabinets throughout the vary. When this was £50 a bottle and straightforward to seek out, it was an unbelievable bottle – however once you begin paying out three figures or extra, it turns into exhausting to defend.”
Blanton’s Gold: A Step Up
Bottled at 103 proof, Blanton’s Gold was initially obtainable solely within the Japanese market, however restricted U.S. drops started in 2020. It carries the identical DNA because the Authentic, however with extra weight and depth.
Breaking Bourbon notes a “fuller mouthfeel” and a palate with “vanilla, honey, toffee, tobacco, and dried fruit.”
Finian Sedgwick, who reviewed Blanton’s Gold for The Whiskey Wash earlier this yr, calls it “a extra full, expansive whiskey than the unique single barrel, whereas nonetheless splendidly moreish.”
At $120 MSRP, it’s not low cost, however the additional depth is noticeable. If you happen to’re already a fan of Blanton’s, Gold is extensively thought-about the candy spot of the vary – if yow will discover it at retail, and for those who can justify the value tag.
Straight From the Barrel: The Full Expertise
Blanton’s Straight From the Barrel is precisely what it says: uncut and unfiltered. Proofs usually vary from 120 to 130, with massive flavors to match.
WhiskyCast describes it as “intense and fiery,” delivering “black pepper, caramel and darkish chocolate” with a end of “molasses sweetness.”
For many who love cask-strength bourbon, it’s essentially the most rewarding (and costliest) Blanton’s expression, with an approximate $150 MSRP.
So… Is It Price It?
At retail? Sure, most likely. Even critics who dismiss the hype acknowledge that Blanton’s is an effective, typically excellent bourbon.
Breaking Bourbon writes: “It received’t be the perfect bourbon to grace your palate, but it surely does provide a constant pour that justifies its MSRP.”
However the market actuality is that this: only a few folks pay MSRP. And at $140+ for the Authentic on a shelf (if yow will discover it), that worth proposition modifications. As Minnick bluntly places it, “By no means in my profession have I thought-about Blanton’s an elite bourbon.” Nonetheless, Minnick does word that “The lure of the bottle will get me each time!”
As such, Blanton’s is greater than the sum of its tasting notes. It’s collectible. It’s historic. And for a lot of, the joys of the discover is a part of the expertise.
To cite Phil Dwyer once more: “If yow will discover Blanton’s at RRP/MSRP, it’s a improbable addition to any assortment and a very good alternative for an on a regular basis pour. If you happen to spot it in a bar at an affordable value, it’s undoubtedly value attempting. Nonetheless, bear in mind: don’t imagine the hype. In our expertise, only a few whiskies actually reside as much as excessive hype, and whereas Blanton’s is great, there are lots of different high-rye bourbon choices throughout the U.S. to discover.”
Is Blanton’s Price It?: Ultimate Verdict
Blanton’s is an excellent bourbon. It was the primary single barrel bourbon for a motive, and it nonetheless delivers a memorable pour right now. However in 2025, its popularity far outpaces its actuality. If you happen to discover a bottle at retail, it’s undoubtedly value attempting. However for those who’re contemplating paying double or triple, take a breath. Loads of equally fulfilling bourbons are sitting quietly on the shelf.
When you’ve got any tasty (and cheaper) alternate options to Blanton’s, let different drinkers know within the feedback under!
