Bourbon Review · Blanton's
Blanton's Straight from the Barrel
Single Barrel Barrel Proof Straight Bourbon — Export
⚑ Placeholder review — tasting notes to be updated after the pour.
The Story
Blanton's Straight from the Barrel is the barrel-proof expression in the Blanton's lineup — released primarily for export markets (Japan in particular), which means it's genuinely harder to find in the US despite being a domestic product. Each bottle comes from a single barrel at full proof, uncut and unfiltered, and the proof varies dramatically between selections. It's a fundamentally different experience from the Original: bigger, more concentrated, and more complex. The same iconic bottle shape applies, but what's inside is closer to BTAC territory than regular Blanton's.
Nose, Palate & Finish
Nose
Intense and expressive at barrel proof — concentrated orange peel, dark caramel, toasted oak, and vanilla push forward with authority. The Buffalo Trace DNA is clearly present but amplified. Give it time to open and it reveals dried fruit, leather, and a faint floral quality.
Palate
Full-bodied and dense. The barrel proof delivers a weight and complexity the standard Blanton's can't match. Rich caramel, dark fruit, baking spices, and oak tannins build through the mid-palate. Water is optional but recommended — it opens the sweetness considerably and smooths the intensity.
Finish
Long and warming with lasting oak, dried fruit, and spice. The finish develops slowly and rewards patience. Considerably better length than the Original.