Blanton's Original Single Barrel was the world's first commercially marketed single barrel bourbon — launched in 1984 by legendary master distiller Elmer T. Lee at the then-Ancient Age Distillery (now Buffalo Trace). Each bottle comes from a single barrel, hand-selected from Warehouse H's prime aging spots, topped with one of eight collectible horse-and-jockey stoppers.
At 93 proof (46.5% ABV), Blanton's delivers a consistently solid bourbon — honey, vanilla, caramel and a gentle rye spice from the high-rye mash bill #2. The single barrel format means each bottle varies subtly, but the Buffalo Trace quality control ensures consistency within that variation.
Blanton's has become one of the most sought-after bourbons in the world, with demand dramatically exceeding supply. At retail, it offers a good bourbon at a fair price. At the secondary market premiums it often commands, the value calculation shifts — the whiskey is consistently good but rarely great. The iconic bottle, the single barrel pedigree, and the Buffalo Trace provenance make it a worthy bourbon, but the cult status has inflated expectations beyond what 93 proof can deliver.
