Blanton’s

Blanton’s Bourbon is made at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Franklin County, Kentucky. The company traces its history back to 1775 and has been repeatedly awarded the title of the best distillery in the United States. The drink was named after one of the leaders of the plant – Albert Bacon Blanton, who made one of the most significant contributions to the development of the company.

Historical information

Blanton came to the factory in 1897 at the age of 16. Before becoming president of the company, he managed to work in almost all departments of the distillery and thoroughly studied the production. Blanton took over the firm in 1921. He managed to lead the plant through a series of difficulties, almost without loss, including Prohibition and the Great Depression.

At the time of the ban on alcohol, the businessman obtained permission for the company to sell strong drinks through pharmacies. Only four companies in the country managed to do this, which survived and even prospered after the lifting of restrictions.

In 1937, the Ohio and Mississippi rivers burst their banks due to abnormal rainfall. A layer of water 5 meters thick rose above the roofs of the workshops. Thanks to Blanton’s organizational skills, the enterprise resumed work within a day after the elements receded. For special merits, the authorities awarded the winemaker the rank of colonel.

Albert Blanton has given Buffalo Trace Distillery over 50 years of his life. It was decided to perpetuate the memory of the colonel’s merits in 1984 with the release of a single-barrel bourbon named after him. It was the first industrial production of this type of drink in the world. Blanton himself worked on his concept for a long time, but he managed to get only small batches of whiskey, which were treated to guests at memorable parties and special occasions.

Manufacture

The peculiarity of Blanton’s bourbon is that it is never mixed with whiskey from other barrels. The original recipe was restored according to the historical documents of the enterprise. The drink is made from a mixture of corn, rye and malted barley. Oak containers are stored in the center of the warehouse – it is there that the optimal temperature regime is created.

The degree of readiness is determined by the taste of the master of the company. Bottling is carried out only after the full maturation of the drink. The design of the bottles emphasizes the high status of the brand. A glass container of an unusual multifaceted shape is crowned with a cork decorated with a figurine of a rider on a horse.

Awards:

• Los Angeles International Spirits Competition, 2018 – gold medal;
• San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2019 – silver medal.

Interesting Facts

Albert Blanton not only worked, but also lived on the territory of the distillery. His personal mansion, Stony Point, bordered the business. The colonel put a lot of effort into improving the aesthetic appearance of the plant, building a club and surrounding the territory of the industrial complex with gardens.

Blanton’s figurines serve as a collector’s item for hobbyists. Kentucky Derby-themed limited-edition bourbon corks are in high demand.

Types of Bourbon Blantons

Whiskey Blanton’s Original, 46,5%

Bourbon amber color aged 9 years. The aroma is dominated by spices and nutmeg. On the palate, hints of corn, honey and caramel are complemented by vanilla notes. Long aftertaste is characterized by sweet fruit tones. Jim Murray, in his Whiskey Bible, refers to the drink as “liquid gold”.

Blanton’s Gold Edition, 51,5%

The drink is aged in oak barrels for at least 10 years, where it acquires the color of dark amber. The aroma is saturated with smells of pepper, cloves, cinnamon and wood. At the start, notes of apricots and caramel are felt, which are replaced by apple and nutty shades.