What's going on with BT?

[boss302]

Okay guys, I have to admit that I am starting to get a little annoyed.

As many of you know, my favorite bourbon has been Blanton's Single Barrel. I know it gets criticized a lot around here for being on the pricey side, but it had captured the distinctive, mature, spicy taste that I like.

Until recently.

The last two bottles I have purchased lacked the initial "musty-ness" that I found pretty intriguing. The spice is still there-- but I am finding it hard to single out.

Every decent tasting note, except that of Star Anise, is being covered up by a turpentine-like astringency. Both in the nose and on the palette.

Now, I'll admit that I usually drink scotch and irish whiskies in the summer time, so it is possible that I might have gotten acclimated to lower-proof, lower-oak spirits.

The last two bottles I purchased were about 6 months apart, from different batches, so I don't think it was the result of getting ONE bad batch...

Now, it still makes a good bourbon-and-cola, but, for $45/bottle, I should be able to sip it neat.

Can anybody tell me what is going on?

[mozilla]

Do you keep up with the tag info on your Blantons? Maybe there is a certain warehouse you are partial to? Do you have a recollection of where your barrels were doing their sleepin?

Also, BT does alot of sigle barrel editions...maybe the best barrels have been getting sold to other customers?

[boss302]

Do you keep up with the tag info on your Blantons? Maybe there is a certain warehouse you are partial to? Do you have a recollection of where your barrels were doing their sleepin?

Also, BT does alot of sigle barrel editions...maybe the best barrels have been getting sold to other customers?

The bottle I'm currently drinking is 6/23/2008, Warehouse H, Rick No. 23, Barrel No. 44...

When Blanton's impressed me, I think the warehouse may have been K(?)...

But slightly-differing character is one thing. A $45 bourbon that tastes like nail polish (only a very slight exaggeration) is another altogether...

[etohchem]

please call the Sazerac phone line 1-866-729-3722. Our customer specialist, Linda Hubbard will contact you and send you a packge to retrieve the bottle. Once I get the bottle back we will send you a full refund. I can't diagnose over the internet but it sounds like you may have gotten a "corked" bottle. I would really like to take a look at your bottle as I never want to have a dissatisfied consumer. If Linda doesn't call within 48 hours please feel free to send me an PM.

Etohchem

[etohchem]

Oh...all Blanton's come from H whare house, Always have. Elmer likes that house.

Etohchem

[mozilla]

Boss,

I can tell you from personal experience, that Etohchem is sincere in his response. He really knows his bourbon, as well.

Thanks for keepin intouch with the common folks Kevin. Cheers to BT for their consistent offers to refund and help customers with their taste and flavor issues. IIRC, this is the third or fourth time BT has offered this type of response to a concerned member.

[SBOmarc]

I can tell you from experience that they took care of the exact issue for me.

I will add that I currently have a Blanton's open. It has the same taste profile that I have become accustomed to.

Dumped 4-15-08

[boss302]

please call the Sazerac phone line 1-866-729-3722. Our customer specialist, Linda Hubbard will contact you and send you a packge to retrieve the bottle. Once I get the bottle back we will send you a full refund. I can't diagnose over the internet but it sounds like you may have gotten a "corked" bottle. I would really like to take a look at your bottle as I never want to have a dissatisfied consumer. If Linda doesn't call within 48 hours please feel free to send me an PM.

Etohchem

Thanks for the response, Etohchem. I'm glad to see that Sazerac/BT go that far to stand behind their product.

Many companies in many industries simply do not.

[shyster512]

I've been a long time Blanton drinker as it has always been one of my favorite bourbons. I opened a bottle recently and found it to be as good as always. But I am glad to know that they stand behind their whiskey.

[boss302]

I thought I would post an update here.

I've been drinking bourbon for the past week. I opened up the Blanton's bottle in question.

Slightly musty nose? Check.

Whiff of caramel after letting it "breathe" for a few minutes? Check.

Hint of leather and star anise on the palette? Check.

Medium-long, fairly dry, earthy finish? Check.

There is still a little more astringency in the mouth than I remember, but, after a pour of Weller Antique, it certainly was not intolerable.

All in all, the bottle turned out to be a good pour. I'm willing to chock up this experience to enforcing variety in my drinking habits. Drinking Scotch and Irish whisk(e)y the entire summer seems to have modified my palette, and I need to be more careful with that in the future.

I feel I need to issue a sincere apology to the people at Sazerac for my previous comments. I was quick to jump to conclusions, instead of giving my palette the proper time to re-adjust. I do not doubt the company's ability to maintain a superior product lineup, nor do I doubt the pride they take in it.

If nothing else, at least the people at Sazerac can point to etochem's posts as proof that they back their products...

So, again, I apologize, and will be more careful with my criticisms in the future.

[bluesbassdad]

I thought I would post an update here.

I've been drinking bourbon for the past week. I opened up the Blanton's bottle in question.

Slightly musty nose? Check.

Whiff of caramel after letting it "breathe" for a few minutes? Check.

Hint of leather and star anise on the palette? Check.

Medium-long, fairly dry, earthy finish? Check.

There is still a little more astringency in the mouth than I remember, but, after a pour of Weller Antique, it certainly was not intolerable.

All in all, the bottle turned out to be a good pour. I'm willing to chock up this experience to enforcing variety in my drinking habits. Drinking Scotch and Irish whisk(e)y the entire summer seems to have modified my palette, and I need to be more careful with that in the future.

I feel I need to issue a sincere apology to the people at Sazerac for my previous comments. I was quick to jump to conclusions, instead of giving my palette the proper time to re-adjust. I do not doubt the company's ability to maintain a superior product lineup, nor do I doubt the pride they take in it.

If nothing else, at least the people at Sazerac can point to etochem's posts as proof that they back their products...

So, again, I apologize, and will be more careful with my criticisms in the future.

I can't speak for the producers, but IMO no apology is necessary. Even if more time for reflection might have been a good idea, sometimes emotion cannot be denied. As long as a person accurately reports his or her own experience, how can the reader ask for more?

A few years back I used some intemperate language in regard to Old Fitzgerald BIB. Chuck had reported very favorably on it. I opened a newly purchased bottle with great expectation. The nose was inviting.

When I took a sip, I was aghast. I believe I referred to it as a flaming horror. Later samplings in the days that followed did not change my impression.

Many months passed. As I recall, I was on the verge of dumping it when I decided to give it one last try. To my surprise it wasn't bad. I was at a loss to come to grips with the contrast with my first impressions.

I never came to love it as much as Chuck did, but I did come to regret my initial comments. Nevertheless, they were accurate in that they expressed my perceptions and nothing more. If anything, they reflected badly on me, not the product.

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

[Dramiel McHinson]

I'm also a Blanton's regular participant along with a wide variety of other whisk(e)y. I have routinely had bottles suddenly get much better or much worse in taste. I've found that if I pour a drink that suddenly seems to be off flavor it's best for me to let it rest for a few months and then go back to it. I've saved a number of bottles/dollars from going down the sink by letting the bottle rest until my palette recovers from whatever ails it. Besides, with almost 700 bottles scattered about the house I can always rummage through the collection and find something that hits the spot.

[libertybar]

please call the Sazerac phone line 1-866-729-3722. Our customer specialist, Linda Hubbard will contact you and send you a packge to retrieve the bottle. Once I get the bottle back we will send you a full refund. I can't diagnose over the internet but it sounds like you may have gotten a "corked" bottle. I would really like to take a look at your bottle as I never want to have a dissatisfied consumer. If Linda doesn't call within 48 hours please feel free to send me an PM.

Etohchem

Now, THAT is customer service.

Here at Liberty, we go through three to four bottles per week (it's really our go-to bourbon for those that are interested in good American whiskey), and I have noticed that of late, there has been a number of bottles that are not as 'big' as I expect from Blanton's. And, yes - there has been the 'astringent' quality that the initial poster mentioned.

In Seattle, we pay ~$50/bottle, and I actually have little problem with that price. That said, please keep in mind that we pay a ridiculous amount of taxes and such for our bottles. But to think that we are paying the same for Blanton's as someone on the East Coast pays for Thomas Larue Weller or any of the Antique Collection... Ouch.

Besides, with almost 700 bottles scattered about the house I can always rummage through the collection and find something that hits the spot.

Um. 700 bottles? I'm trying to think of something clever to say, but jealousy is clouding any humor that I have available to me.

[MJL]

please call the Sazerac phone line 1-866-729-3722. Our customer specialist, Linda Hubbard will contact you and send you a packge to retrieve the bottle. Once I get the bottle back we will send you a full refund. I can't diagnose over the internet but it sounds like you may have gotten a "corked" bottle. I would really like to take a look at your bottle as I never want to have a dissatisfied consumer. If Linda doesn't call within 48 hours please feel free to send me an PM.

Etohchem

Well, I am impressed. I have not tried Blanton's but seeing a manufacturer standing behind a product like this is refreshing and welcoming. Expect, in the next few weeks to be selling a bottle to myself. I am sure it will be superb. I just wish I could find Sazerac in Miami.

[Dramiel McHinson]

Um. 700 bottles? I'm trying to think of something clever to say, but jealousy is clouding any humor that I have available to me.

[mozilla]

Boss,

I can tell you from personal experience, that Etohchem is sincere in his response. He really knows his bourbon, as well.

Thanks for keepin intouch with the common folks Kevin. Cheers to BT for their consistent offers to refund and help customers with their taste and flavor issues. IIRC, this is the third or fourth time BT has offered this type of response to a concerned member.

Meant to say Etohchem...not Beakerboy(Kevin). My Bad.:drinking: