re: Whiskey/Bourbon/Scotch appreciation thread Volume II

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Imagine being told, “Son we’re not hiring any hands today,” at your job interview and then 35 years later honoring the same man that turned you down by naming the world’s first single barrel bourbon after him. That man was Albert B. Blanton and the young man he told to take a hike in 1949 was Elmer T. Lee.

In 1984, Lee launched the now-legendary Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon by following the blueprint of its namesake. Blanton aged single barrels in Warehouse H of the George T. Stagg Distillery (now Buffalo Trace), where he believed the best aging occurred. Those single barrels were bottled as a private reserve bourbon for ambassadors, dignitaries and those especially close to him.

As it has continued to earn international awards since its inception, The original 93 proof Blanton’s has been released in different iterations outside the United States, including Blanton’s Special Reserve (“Green”) and Blanton’s Black, both at a lower 80 proof. Without a doubt, the two most intriguing of the international releases has been the Blanton’s Gold (103 proof) and the Blanton’s Straight From the Barrel (proof varies by bottle, but around 130 proof).

Along with the single barrel named to honor Elmer T. Lee, all the Blanton’s are created from Buffalo Trace Mash Bill 2 (Higher Rye 12-15%), are distilled to 140 proof, put into barrels at 125 proof and aged in Blanton’s favorite Warehouse H. Warehouse H is reserved solely for Blanton’s. It is the only warehouse at Buffalo Trace that has metal cladding on the exterior walls instead of brick, creating wider temperature swings. These swings force the whiskey in and out of the barrel at a greater rate, aging the whiskey quicker. This is notable because none of the Blanton’s bottles list an age statement.

Another fact you may be unaware of: Japanese manufacturer Takara Shuzo owns all of the Age International brands (including Ancient Age, Blanton’s and Elmer T. Lee), despite their being distilled and aged at Buffalo Trace. That may help to explain the strong international presence.

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All the ones up here in Bham hold that stuff until pappy day, so unless you are willing to camp out a few days you can never get your hands on stuff like that.

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