BOTM 8/14: Blanton's

[Evets]

I had no prejudice when I approached Bourbon from a Scotch background but I too was taken aback by the the sweetness, cherry-cola taste, and the relative simplicity when I first tried Bourbon (Knob Creek). But I kept after it by trying lots of products...I found I liked Ryes and then the Bourbons started to resonate for me. Now I am a happy fan of both!

[393foureyedfox]

I approached Bourbon from a Scotch background...I found I liked Ryes and then the Bourbons started to resonate for me. Now I am a happy fan of both!

one of my buddies likes scotches, and I thought ryes might do it for him too, since hes not really a fan of bourbon profiles. I got him a Dickel Rye, and he actually liked it. That, and Booker's. go figure....

[squire]

Free whisky always tastes a bit better to me.

[Eskwar]

I'm bringing a '99 Blanton's and a '14 Blanton's to a tasting tomorrow. I'm looking forward to seeing if we can discern any significant differences b/n the two. (Yes, I know, they're single barrels to begin with, but still.)

[zillah]

BT#2 is my favorite mash bill so its no surprise that I love this bourbon. I haven't bought a bottle of it yet due to other options at its price-point - plus I really prefer ETL's sweet and sour notes over it. Maybe I will get a gift of it one day, but I always enjoy it when its on the shelf at a bar.

[SBOmarc]

I'm bringing a '99 Blanton's and a '14 Blanton's to a tasting tomorrow. I'm looking forward to seeing if we can discern any significant differences b/n the two. (Yes, I know, they're single barrels to begin with, but still.)

I would be interested to know if the 1999 bottle has an earthy grass finish that was common to many BT offerings of the time. I know that many found it off putting. It is no longer there, and I miss it.

[Scotch Neat]

Interesting that you started out with a higher end bourbon instead of a standard mid-shelf or even bottom shelf where great values are to be found. But, then, perhaps from a Scotch drinker's perspective, the cost of Blanton's is mid-shelf. I know a single malt devotee who won't touch any of the great bourbons because they are so "working class."

I try to base my decisions on the best independent reviews, Blanton's was available and received good reviews so that is what I first tried.

Granted bourbon is a bargain (well maybe not anymore) compared to scotch but even in the world of scotch higher price does not necessarily mean a better product.

[Richnimrod]

I try to base my decisions on the best independent reviews, Blanton's was available and received good reviews so that is what I first tried.

Granted bourbon is a bargain (well maybe not anymore) compared to scotch but even in the world of scotch higher price does not necessarily mean a better product.

Truer words were never spoken! Higher prices, especially for some of the 'craft' Bourbon offerings are certainly not indicative of a better product (using any definition of the word; 'better'). Plus, the consistency of a great many bottom and 'one-step-up' offerings from the big distillers indicates an attention to the process that should be the envy of all who love Bourbon.... Not, denigrated for being 'working class', or ordinary. There are so many excellent quality Bourbons on the bottom, and mid shelves, it's almost impossible name 'em all.

[squire]

Or drink 'em all, God knows I've tried.

[12stones]

I just bought my first Blanton's. The price ($63.99) has kept me away until now. But with it being the bourbon of the month I thought I better try it. Like all Buffalo Trace, I like it. I think it's a lot like ER just a little smoother. For the price difference I think I'll stick to regular BT and ER. I'd like to try some ETL but I can't get any here in Mo. I've been trying all summer, I even went to Kentucky and couldn't find any.

[boneuphtoner]

I like Blanton's a lot, but at approximately half the price, ETL is nearly indistinguishable (actually I think it has a better longer finish) to my palate. I had one store selection of Blanton's that I thought was significantly better than the standard bottles I've purchased.

[The Black Tot]

the consistency of a great many bottom and 'one-step-up' offerings from the big distillers indicates an attention to the process that should be the envy of all who love Bourbon.... Not, denigrated for being 'working class', or ordinary. There are so many excellent quality Bourbons on the bottom, and mid shelves, it's almost impossible name 'em all.

Can we at least denigrate them until I've got them bunkered?

[TunnelTiger]

Saw a Blanton's today for $69.99. A new era is upon us.

Yes I passed.

[Evets]

Yowsers! And I was ticked when the long-term special price from the big store chain went from $40 to $50.

But $70? Sheesh!

[393foureyedfox]

seems to me that only BT products are seeing these price hikes. yet another reason to buy the other distiller's stuff

[Eskwar]

I would be interested to know if the 1999 bottle has an earthy grass finish that was common to many BT offerings of the time. I know that many found it off putting. It is no longer there, and I miss it.

Tonight, while watching Okie State turnover a coulda-been upset...

2014 - light gold color; nose sweet; taste mild, slightly woody; horsey shiny w/ letter "T."

1999 - darker color, closer to copper; nose alcohol; taste milder, though much woodier, kept looking for the old BT grassiness but couldn't really pick it out; horsey dull w/ no letter at all, plus a different hangtag marked '93, in the traditional bag and old green box. Cork will need replacing pronto.

I brought these two to a comparo at a recent "Dallas" Bourbon Social, and guests found the differences minimal, but slightly preferred the 2014. Tonight, I did as well at first, but I'm starting to prefer the finish of the '99 (the taste giving way to a punchier finish, perhaps b/c of its milder start).

Oh, and the '99 was cheaper, too.

[Ravensfire]

Just in case the idea might not have crossed your mind, remember the bottles are rather unique. My wife uses them as vases for small numbers of flowers. I'm trying to think of a way to cut them just past the opening and create book holders out of them after glueing to a wood frame.

[Harry in WashDC]

FWIW, Virginia ABC Stores I visit (I-95 corridor WashDC to Richmond) have Blanton's in 750s ($56) and 375s ($23), but I've not seen more than two of each on the shelf at any one time. Montgomery County MD stores advertise 750s for $45, but I haven't visited any for awhile so don't know if it's actually available.

[Thig]

Finally opened the Blanton's last night that I have had for several months. It was my second pour of the night and followed a Sazerac 6yr Rye. That was probably a mistake, I love the Sazerac and it made the Blanton's taste very mild. Almost too mild. I will have to try the Blanton's first next time and see if it offers me a little more flavor, finish and depth. If not I probably will not replace it, especially at $50 or more.

[Vadertime]

I would love to try some up to snuff Blanton's, unfortunately all the Blanton's in Taiwan (that I have found) has a serious case of cork taint.

[Thig]

I tried it again last night without anything else before it, I was more impressed but still not sure at $50 plus per bottle if I will buy another.

[suntour]

I saw a picture of folks tasting Blanton's straight from the barrel at BT. Anyone wanna guess how old the barrels were? (Not that that means its always this age, but I suspect its not far off)

[jeffrey r]

I saw a picture of folks tasting Blanton's straight from the barrel at BT. Anyone wanna guess how old the barrels were? (Not that that means its always this age, but I suspect its not far off)

[suntour]

Six years. I was surprised as well.

[dSculptor]

Had me a taste of this stuff 2 days ago, I always liked this juice, it was up on my list for a long time...until I tried some RHF, and sorry to say it knocked the Blantons down a bit, but still damn good stuff. Now I'll probably have to get me another bottle to sit along side it's cousin RHF.