Blanton’s Original Single Barrel (46.5%) is the bourbon that, in 1984, turned “single barrel” into a modern whiskey benchmark. Master distiller Elmer T. Lee created it as a tribute to Colonel Albert B. Blanton—bottled one barrel at a time, with no blending, so every release carries its own character. It is traditionally matured in the iconic, metal-clad Warehouse H at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky; wide temperature swings drive a lively maturation and contribute to concentrated aroma and flavor. In the glass, expect a creamy nose of vanilla, caramel and butterscotch, subtly laced with clove, nutmeg and cinnamon. The palate is rounded and sweet with clear notes of citrus and oak, best enjoyed neat or over a large ice cube. The recipe uses Buffalo Trace’s Mash Bill #2, known as a high-rye bourbon, adding structure and a spicy lift to the finish. The design is as distinctive as the liquid: the faceted bottle wears a horse-and-jockey stopper, with eight different figures that together spell B-L-A-N-T-O-N-S and depict stages of a horse race—a collectible detail that has made Blanton’s an icon. In short, Blanton’s Original blends historic significance, the singular influence of Warehouse H, and a classic, sweet bourbon profile with a spicy edge—still a reference point for single-barrel releases today.
