Bourbon Review · Blanton's

Blanton's Straight from the Barrel

Single Barrel Barrel Proof Straight Bourbon — Export

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Distillery Buffalo TraceOrigin Frankfort, KYType Single Barrel Barrel Proof Straight BourbonABV ~60–65% (varies by barrel)Price ~$150–160 retail / $400+ secondary

The Story

Straight from the Barrel is what happens when Blanton's decides regular strength isn't cutting it. It's made mostly for export — Japan gets first dibs — so ironically the "domestic" bottle is the hard one to find here. Single barrel, full proof, nothing cut or filtered out. It's a genuinely different animal from the Original: bigger, heavier, and a lot closer to the stuff Buffalo Trace usually locks up for the fall lottery.

Nose, Palate & Finish

Nose

Strong. Sweet and boozy up front with a lot more punch than the Original — you can smell the proof before you even get close. Some caramel, some oak, and enough alcohol heat that you know what you're in for.

Palate

Thick and heavy-hitting. Sweet caramel and dark sugar up front, then the proof takes over with real heat and a dry, woody weight building underneath.

Finish

Long, hot, and oaky. Sticks around for a while. Worth it.

The Verdict

This is the Blanton's that actually justifies the fuss around the brand. It's bigger, it's better, and it's worth tracking down even though the export-market thing makes that annoying. If you find it at retail, don't overthink it.