Blanton's
Encyclopedia
Blanton's is a brand of bourbon whiskey
produced and marketed by the Sazerac Company
. It is distilled in Frankfort, Kentucky
at Buffalo Trace Distillery
.
Blanton's was first marketed in 1984, as the world’s first single barrel bourbon under the label, "Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon." A single barrel bourbon is one that is poured (and typically chill filtered
) from the contents of one particular aging barrel – not mixed with whiskey from any other barrels and not blended with neutral spirits, colorings, or flavorings. The company says that producing a high quality whiskey using this production method requires constant monitoring of every barrel in the middle of the warehouse by the Master Distiller. The barrels are dumped by hand without using machinery. There are eight different stopper designs, each with a different letter of the alphabet molded into it and topped with a figurine of a racehorse and jockey
. When placed in order, spelling "B L A N T O N' S" the horse and jockey's poses display eight different scenes of a horse race, from standing at the gate, to crossing the finish line with a win.
, and he began working at the distillery (then called the O.F.C. Distillery) in 1897 as an office boy when he was 16 years old. Over the next few years he reportedly worked in every department, and in 1912 he was appointed superintendent of the distillery, its warehouse, and bottling shop – at the same time that the distillery was renamed to become the George T. Stagg Distillery. He became president of the whiskey plant in 1921. Blanton died in 1959.
The company refers to him as "Colonel Blanton", as he held the honoric title of Kentucky Colonel
(a relatively common honorific bestowed by the Commonwealth
of Kentucky
). The distillery had several owners during its history, and was renamed by its current owner, the Sazerac Company
, to become the Buffalo Trace Distillery
in 2001.
organizations. The San Francisco World Spirits Competition gave the single barrel bourbon one double gold, two gold, and one silver medal between 2007 and 2010. The Beverage Testing Institute
gave the bourbon a score of 94, well above its average score. Wine Enthusiast raters have generally been least impressed with Blanton's, rating it in the 85-89 point interval on one occasion and in the 90-95 point interval on another.
Bourbon whiskey
Bourbon is a type of American whiskey – a barrel-aged distilled spirit made primarily from corn. The name of the spirit derives from its historical association with an area known as Old Bourbon, around what is now Bourbon County, Kentucky . It has been produced since the 18th century...
produced and marketed by the Sazerac Company
Sazerac Company
The Sazerac Company is a large privately held and family-operated alcoholic beverages company with headquarters in Metairie, Louisiana.It owns and produces a large and diversified portfolio of beverage brands, and it owns and operates a number of distilling companies...
. It is distilled in Frankfort, Kentucky
Frankfort, Kentucky
Frankfort is a city in Kentucky that serves as the state capital and the county seat of Franklin County. The population was 27,741 at the 2000 census; by population it is the 5th smallest state capital in the United States...
at Buffalo Trace Distillery
Buffalo Trace Distillery
Buffalo Trace Distillery is a distillery located in Frankfort, Kentucky. It has historically been known by several names, including most notably, the George T. Stagg Distillery and the O.F.C. Distillery. Its namesake bourbon brand, Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon whiskey, was introduced...
.
Blanton's was first marketed in 1984, as the world’s first single barrel bourbon under the label, "Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon." A single barrel bourbon is one that is poured (and typically chill filtered
Chill filtering
Chill filtering is a method in whisky making for removing residue. In chill filtering, whisky is cooled to between -10 and 4 degrees Celsius and passed through a fine adsorption filter...
) from the contents of one particular aging barrel – not mixed with whiskey from any other barrels and not blended with neutral spirits, colorings, or flavorings. The company says that producing a high quality whiskey using this production method requires constant monitoring of every barrel in the middle of the warehouse by the Master Distiller. The barrels are dumped by hand without using machinery. There are eight different stopper designs, each with a different letter of the alphabet molded into it and topped with a figurine of a racehorse and jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
. When placed in order, spelling "B L A N T O N' S" the horse and jockey's poses display eight different scenes of a horse race, from standing at the gate, to crossing the finish line with a win.
Colonel Blanton and the Buffalo Trace Distillery
Blanton's bourbon was named in honor of one of the distillery's early leaders, Albert B. Blanton, who the company claims spent most of his life preserving the tradition of handcrafted bourbon. Blanton worked at the facility now known as the Buffalo Trace Distillery for approximately 55 years. He was born and raised on a farm just outside of Frankfort, KentuckyFrankfort, Kentucky
Frankfort is a city in Kentucky that serves as the state capital and the county seat of Franklin County. The population was 27,741 at the 2000 census; by population it is the 5th smallest state capital in the United States...
, and he began working at the distillery (then called the O.F.C. Distillery) in 1897 as an office boy when he was 16 years old. Over the next few years he reportedly worked in every department, and in 1912 he was appointed superintendent of the distillery, its warehouse, and bottling shop – at the same time that the distillery was renamed to become the George T. Stagg Distillery. He became president of the whiskey plant in 1921. Blanton died in 1959.
The company refers to him as "Colonel Blanton", as he held the honoric title of Kentucky Colonel
Kentucky colonel
Kentucky colonel is the highest title of honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Commissions for Kentucky colonels are given by the Governor and the Secretary of State to individuals in recognition of noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to a community, state or the nation...
(a relatively common honorific bestowed by the Commonwealth
Commonwealth
Commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has sometimes been synonymous with "republic."More recently it has been used for fraternal associations of some sovereign nations...
of Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
). The distillery had several owners during its history, and was renamed by its current owner, the Sazerac Company
Sazerac Company
The Sazerac Company is a large privately held and family-operated alcoholic beverages company with headquarters in Metairie, Louisiana.It owns and produces a large and diversified portfolio of beverage brands, and it owns and operates a number of distilling companies...
, to become the Buffalo Trace Distillery
Buffalo Trace Distillery
Buffalo Trace Distillery is a distillery located in Frankfort, Kentucky. It has historically been known by several names, including most notably, the George T. Stagg Distillery and the O.F.C. Distillery. Its namesake bourbon brand, Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon whiskey, was introduced...
in 2001.
Expressions
Blanton's Bourbon has been released with several different label colors, stopper finishes, and proofs.- Blanton's in the USA is most commonly bottled with a beige label at 93 proof
- Blanton's in Japan is most commonly bottled at 80 proof with a black label
- Blanton's Special Reserve is bottled at 80 proof with a green label
- Blanton's Gold is bottled at 103 proof with gold colored label and stopper
- Blanton's Silver is bottled at 98 proof and has silver colored label and stopper
- Blanton's Barrel Proof is bottled at variable proofs with a copper colored label.
Reviews and Awards
Blanton's Bourbon has been highly rated by spirit ratingsSpirit ratings
With a growing number of microdistilleries and an expanding number of offerings from large corporate entities, a number of institutions have arisen to provide professional evaluations of individual spirits...
organizations. The San Francisco World Spirits Competition gave the single barrel bourbon one double gold, two gold, and one silver medal between 2007 and 2010. The Beverage Testing Institute
Beverage Testing Institute
The Beverage Testing Institute is a marketing service company that provides reviews for spirits, wines, and beers. It uses numerical scores and publishes books of its test results.-Reviews:...
gave the bourbon a score of 94, well above its average score. Wine Enthusiast raters have generally been least impressed with Blanton's, rating it in the 85-89 point interval on one occasion and in the 90-95 point interval on another.