Blanton's Straight From the Barrel

Neat. Color notably darker than basic Blanton’s. Nose is Blanton’s turned way up as expected. Caramel, lots of baking space, honey, powdered sugar, deep dark cherry. Cherry pastry even. Really thick texture. All sugar up front. Blast of chocolate (I was not expecting) on the first sip, chased by tons of vanilla and a hint of spice. Legs are mostly vanilla on first sip. Sugar upfront still in the second hit but got some delightful cherry too. Chocolate, vanilla, pastry swirl on the taste still. Okay, this is a really good Barrel. The nose was just Blanton’s turned up but the taste is something totally different and special. Went back to basic Blanton’s immediately after. It’s thin and almost off putting in the head to head comparison. Phew, no regrets getting this SFTB!

Tried thanks to Jon swapping samples. At 130 proof you definitely get the heat but also a bit of the sweetness you are use to from Blanton’s single barrel. Definitely need to add a bottle to the collection (ideally around $135 etc)

Little hot, but really good! Lot of barrel notes.

Amazing complexity, fresh wood covered with vanilla and caramel with a sight spicy backdrop.

has the same nose and taste as blantons but I had the highest proof I have seen at 138.5 and it was hot! needed a couple drops of water but absolutely delicious for such of a high proof