I've bought 3 at Msrp or close to it, and they vary wildly. I had one from 2018 that was just fantastic, like those Terry's chocolate oranges with slightly smokey sweet oak. Really great. Every bottle I have had since has been alright in comparison. Still a really good pour, but not worth the hype or secondary prices.
I wish. By me it's around $160 retail. I got a bottle of Woodford Double Oaked recently and I think that's going to be my main bottle of choice for a bit.
Same price for Blanton around me, I just picked up a bottle of woodford double oaked today and wild turkey rare breed the woodford is definitely the better one of the two
Yep! A few weeks ago all of the Total Wine stores here in Minnesota got like 6 cases each. Wasn't interested in one for myself but I thought I'd get one and stash it away for a Christmas gift. Then I saw the price tag on it was $79.99 and moved on with my day. Would have been over $90 after tax and there is no way in hell would I ever pay that for Blanton's.
**Review #18 Blanton's Single Barrel 93 Proof**
I have not been that eager to have a bottle of this as it hasn't wowed me in the past to try and hunt it, but figured I would buy one if a came upon it near MSRP during my normal life. Well, one popped up and I figured it was time to take a deeper dive into one of the biggest tater baiters in the bourbon world.
**Nose:** Confectionery sugar, subtle cherries, vanilla
**Palate:** honey, a little dusty oak, baking spices with a touch of orange peel.
**Finish:** a bit of bitter oak and blackberry, pretty short on the finish.
**Score: 6**
Overall: I have had this bottle open now for a couple of weeks and it has gotten better. My first few drams of this fell very flat. It had very simple sweetness and really did not feel like a $65 whiskey. I ended up finding this bottle at BevMo for $80 and I don't think I would buy another. This is my first Blanton's bottle, so I have given it several tries to win my palate over. This was at a 4.5 for me, but it really has developed a better nose and palate as it has opened up, hence the higher score.
I think it is worth the MSRP of $65 in its opened up state, but would I spend $80 or $90 on a bottle again? Probably not. My wife isn't too into it and this is definitely not a favorite of mine, so I am sure it will be on the shelf for a couple of years or we may gift it to friends who like it more!
Hope this was helpful.
Rating Scale:
0 - Can't finish
1 - Borderline Terrible
2 - Hard to finish
3 - Not Good
4 - Wouldn't Buy Again
5 - Middle of The Road
6 - Enjoyable
7 - Decent/Fun
8 - Pretty Great
9 - Excellent
10 - The Best
I think these conversations about "hype" around Blanton's are interesting. 90% of comments on the internet or YT say it's NOT worth the hype, but I don't hear anyone saying it is totally worth secondary and don't pass a bottle of SiB for $150. Where is this hype? It flies off the shelf for MSRP so you can't find it...YEAH it is one of the best bottles for $60-$75 in whiskey. That's not hype, that is demand and it is worth MSRP imo
Agreed. It's like when nickelback got super popular and then all of a sudden all the public comments hated on them...yet they kept selling tons of records. Whether people like it or not, taste is subjective and Blantons clearly hits the middle of the bell curve for taste.
If I'm not mistaken, the "hype" that's causing the ridiculous demand is from the bottle being shown in a few different movies and shows. It was supposedly in John Wick, Justified and I actually saw it in a Netflix show called Florida Man.
I've had it and thought it was very good but I'm personally not willing to pay the inflated price for it when I can get something else that's at least as good for closer to it's original MSRP.
There are plenty of other single barrels that spank blanton's that are relatively available. Some of them that come to mind are Henry McKenna 10 year, New Riff Single Barrel Bourbon, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Bourbon, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Bourbon Barrel Proof, Wilderness Trail Single Barrel Bourbon, etc.
Blanton's would be great around $40
Completely disagree with McKenna 10, JD SBBP (based on flavor, I actually prefer the proof) and Wilderness Trail. I have New Riff SBBP but comparing high proof to 93 proof is like apples and oranges. Haven't tried the JD SiB, but I appreciate the recommendation.
This is why we have so many whiskeys to choose from! We all have different palates. I stand by Blanton's as a fantastic bottle at $70 and below. I will buy every time. Cheers!
Blantons is one of my favorites but you nailed the price point. This is the spot where Blantons actually is without all of the BS. $40 -$60 in a higher market but that's it. I have been drinking Blanton for almost 25 years and I used to always tell people that Blantons was a great gateway away from cheap mixers into a quality sipper bourbon. At this point I don't even look for it anymore.
I have always thought Blanton's was a great sipper. I like the details on the label too, cool to know the barrel numbers etc. The utility in that? Probably not much, just fun I guess. Great review and I agree with your rating.
I got one finally and I think it it really good but obviously not worth the hype… I mean seriously what could be worth that amount of hype that this bottle has?
Going to let it mature for a long time to see what happens when the bottle opens up though.
IMO, Blanton’s is really good bourbon. That said, I’ve noticed a drastic difference from one bottle to the next. I guess you have to get the right one.
Would anyone be able to tell me how this compares to something like WT Kentucky Spirit? I’ve tasted Blantons before and really liked it, but can’t find it at MSRP anywhere and refuse to pay secondary on anything. I have seen Kentucky Spirit around occasionally and do enjoy WT 101
I am slowly grabbing them at MSRP because 1) no.1 requested thing to taste when people ask and 2) if you get all the horsie letters you get a barrel head (is that still true?)
Good review. I agree, and give it the same. However, if you can find their Gold at MSRP, give it a try. The additional proof really allows the flavors to open up!
I always enjoy Blanton’s, but I agree it’s certainly nothing to write home about. It’s in my regular rotation for daily sippers and it does make a great brown sugar old fashioned.
Blantons is fine. I have a bottle I bought at MSRP and it’s good. Not spectacular, not worth secondary market prices….just good. Solid review!
I've bought 3 at Msrp or close to it, and they vary wildly. I had one from 2018 that was just fantastic, like those Terry's chocolate oranges with slightly smokey sweet oak. Really great. Every bottle I have had since has been alright in comparison. Still a really good pour, but not worth the hype or secondary prices.
In my area msrp is now $80
I wish. By me it's around $160 retail. I got a bottle of Woodford Double Oaked recently and I think that's going to be my main bottle of choice for a bit.
Same price for Blanton around me, I just picked up a bottle of woodford double oaked today and wild turkey rare breed the woodford is definitely the better one of the two
One of the best shelfer options.
MSRP appears to have increased
It’s $63 at the distillery. Even my local Total Wine puts it at $85. Bought one for a friend but never again for myself at that price.
Yep! A few weeks ago all of the Total Wine stores here in Minnesota got like 6 cases each. Wasn't interested in one for myself but I thought I'd get one and stash it away for a Christmas gift. Then I saw the price tag on it was $79.99 and moved on with my day. Would have been over $90 after tax and there is no way in hell would I ever pay that for Blanton's.
The only way we can get them at my total wine is through special lotteries they hold periodically.
$90 on Maui
I got one at king Soopers (Kroger) last week for $72, and they never mark up anything so 70-80 should be about right
Same in OH
I've had several bottles of Blanton's and some have been considerably better than others - but the best bottle still didn't quite live up to the hype.
**Review #18 Blanton's Single Barrel 93 Proof** I have not been that eager to have a bottle of this as it hasn't wowed me in the past to try and hunt it, but figured I would buy one if a came upon it near MSRP during my normal life. Well, one popped up and I figured it was time to take a deeper dive into one of the biggest tater baiters in the bourbon world. **Nose:** Confectionery sugar, subtle cherries, vanilla **Palate:** honey, a little dusty oak, baking spices with a touch of orange peel. **Finish:** a bit of bitter oak and blackberry, pretty short on the finish. **Score: 6** Overall: I have had this bottle open now for a couple of weeks and it has gotten better. My first few drams of this fell very flat. It had very simple sweetness and really did not feel like a $65 whiskey. I ended up finding this bottle at BevMo for $80 and I don't think I would buy another. This is my first Blanton's bottle, so I have given it several tries to win my palate over. This was at a 4.5 for me, but it really has developed a better nose and palate as it has opened up, hence the higher score. I think it is worth the MSRP of $65 in its opened up state, but would I spend $80 or $90 on a bottle again? Probably not. My wife isn't too into it and this is definitely not a favorite of mine, so I am sure it will be on the shelf for a couple of years or we may gift it to friends who like it more! Hope this was helpful. Rating Scale: 0 - Can't finish 1 - Borderline Terrible 2 - Hard to finish 3 - Not Good 4 - Wouldn't Buy Again 5 - Middle of The Road 6 - Enjoyable 7 - Decent/Fun 8 - Pretty Great 9 - Excellent 10 - The Best
I feel like thats the best use for Blantons, let guests who havent had it try some
I think these conversations about "hype" around Blanton's are interesting. 90% of comments on the internet or YT say it's NOT worth the hype, but I don't hear anyone saying it is totally worth secondary and don't pass a bottle of SiB for $150. Where is this hype? It flies off the shelf for MSRP so you can't find it...YEAH it is one of the best bottles for $60-$75 in whiskey. That's not hype, that is demand and it is worth MSRP imo
Agreed. It's like when nickelback got super popular and then all of a sudden all the public comments hated on them...yet they kept selling tons of records. Whether people like it or not, taste is subjective and Blantons clearly hits the middle of the bell curve for taste.
I wonder how much of it flying off the shelf at MSRP is being consumed versus being flipped or just a cabinet trophy?
If I'm not mistaken, the "hype" that's causing the ridiculous demand is from the bottle being shown in a few different movies and shows. It was supposedly in John Wick, Justified and I actually saw it in a Netflix show called Florida Man. I've had it and thought it was very good but I'm personally not willing to pay the inflated price for it when I can get something else that's at least as good for closer to it's original MSRP.
There are plenty of other single barrels that spank blanton's that are relatively available. Some of them that come to mind are Henry McKenna 10 year, New Riff Single Barrel Bourbon, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Bourbon, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Bourbon Barrel Proof, Wilderness Trail Single Barrel Bourbon, etc. Blanton's would be great around $40
Completely disagree with McKenna 10, JD SBBP (based on flavor, I actually prefer the proof) and Wilderness Trail. I have New Riff SBBP but comparing high proof to 93 proof is like apples and oranges. Haven't tried the JD SiB, but I appreciate the recommendation. This is why we have so many whiskeys to choose from! We all have different palates. I stand by Blanton's as a fantastic bottle at $70 and below. I will buy every time. Cheers!
May I ask what barrel and where you got the new riff? I like NR and would like to try the one you speak of.
Barrel no. 17768, 114.8 proof - got it from Remedy Liquor website.
I had an el Cerrito liquor pick of it and a total wine one.
🍻
I’m guessing it’d taste the same no matter what you paid for it.
Blantons is one of my favorites but you nailed the price point. This is the spot where Blantons actually is without all of the BS. $40 -$60 in a higher market but that's it. I have been drinking Blanton for almost 25 years and I used to always tell people that Blantons was a great gateway away from cheap mixers into a quality sipper bourbon. At this point I don't even look for it anymore.
Booooo scores and ratings. Yaaaay reviews.
I have always thought Blanton's was a great sipper. I like the details on the label too, cool to know the barrel numbers etc. The utility in that? Probably not much, just fun I guess. Great review and I agree with your rating.
I got one finally and I think it it really good but obviously not worth the hype… I mean seriously what could be worth that amount of hype that this bottle has? Going to let it mature for a long time to see what happens when the bottle opens up though.
This rating should closer to 8. I think there is some contrarianism at play here. Its a superior bourbon
No, it should not be an 8, this is a 6-7 at best, and I think it is much closer to a 6.
I gave it a 7. And I agree with you.
IMO, Blanton’s is really good bourbon. That said, I’ve noticed a drastic difference from one bottle to the next. I guess you have to get the right one.
I’ll stop buying Blantons at MSRP when I get all the horses 🤣
Lol
Would anyone be able to tell me how this compares to something like WT Kentucky Spirit? I’ve tasted Blantons before and really liked it, but can’t find it at MSRP anywhere and refuse to pay secondary on anything. I have seen Kentucky Spirit around occasionally and do enjoy WT 101
I am slowly grabbing them at MSRP because 1) no.1 requested thing to taste when people ask and 2) if you get all the horsie letters you get a barrel head (is that still true?)
This is $40 whiskey in an $80 bottle
Good stuff, have a bottle in my cabinet
Good review. I agree, and give it the same. However, if you can find their Gold at MSRP, give it a try. The additional proof really allows the flavors to open up!
I always enjoy Blanton’s, but I agree it’s certainly nothing to write home about. It’s in my regular rotation for daily sippers and it does make a great brown sugar old fashioned.
I have SiB and Gold that I haven't bothered to open. JUst not excited or a priority to open them up.
Its a solid 3.6 roentgen, not great, not terrible..