BACKGROUND: Blanton’s Single Barrel has become among the most sought after and highly allocated bourbons in the world, though many attribute its desirability more to the unique bottle shape and horse racing-related topper rather than the quality of the whiskey inside. In addition to Blanton’s Single Barrel, the Buffalo Trace Distillery also produces Blanton’s Gold, a 103 proof version with a gold topper; Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel, a cask-strength version with varying proof; and Blanton’s Special Reserve, an 80 proof entry-level offering. The Gold, SFTB, and Special Reserve versions are unavailable in the United States and sold only in international markets. Blanton’s became the industry’s first single-barrel bourbon when George T. Stagg Master Distiller Elmer T. Lee was challenged by his corporate bosses to find a way to jumpstart sales in 1984. Inspired by stories about one of his predecessors, Albert Blanton, who would save “honey barrels” for private use, Lee selected a small number of high-quality casks and had them bottled individually, with the details handwritten on the label. He named the bourbon after the man who inspired it. At a time when most bourbon cost less than $10, Blanton’s originally sold for $30, but after initial lackluster sales, Lee’s idea eventually proved successful as a premium product that could compete with single-malt scotches, craft offerings, and other distilled spirits sought out by high-income consumers. Blanton’s bourbon is made from the higher-rye mash bill - Mash Bill #2 - that is used at Buffalo Trace, and while exact proportions are not disclosed, it is believed to consist of roughly 15% rye. Other popular brands that use the same mash bill are Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel, Ancient Age, and Rock Hill Farms Single Barrel A 750 ml bottle currently retails for $59.99 and is available either in a box with a velvet bag or “naked” and wrapped only in netting to prevent breakage. I sampled Bottle Number 240 from Barrel Number 131 of Rick Number 9 in Warehouse H (all Blanton’s comes from Warehouse H), and it was bottled on August 17, 2019. NOSE: The nose possesses a strong ethanol presence and offers a nice combination of sweet pipe tobacco, leather, citrus, and caramel. PALATE: Blanton’s has a wonderfully oily viscosity that coats the inside of the mouth and jawline. Orange and oak flavors initially dominate the palate followed by a candy corn sweetness on the back end. Though it is a relatively low-proof bourbon, a lip and tongue tingle that usually accompanies higher-octane whiskey occurs on initial sips. FINISH: The long finish consists mainly of oak and barrel char, but a bit of maple syrup flavor develops on the very back of the tongue. Though oak is strong in the finish, Blanton’s is not drying or tannic like many oak-heavy bourbon finishes. FINAL ASSESSMENT: There is no doubt that Blanton’s is a solid bourbon, but there are better and easier-to-obtain choices available at similar price points. The bottle, the topper, the unique handwritten label, and the overall presentation, however, make Blanton’s more than just a bourbon - it becomes a full-sensory experience. The presentation is especially impressive to those who know nothing about bourbon.