What makes Blanton’s such a cult classic?

There’s bourbon, and then there’s Blanton’s. 

The first name in single barrel whiskey, this Kentucky-born legend set the template for what premium bourbon could be – and still sets the bar decades later. 

With its distinctive bottle, metal-clad warehouse ageing, and a little horsey on top for good measure, Blanton’s doesn’t just walk the walk. It gallops.

A brief history of Blanton’s Bourbon

Picture it: Kentucky, 1984. As big hair and synthesised pop swept the globe, Elmer T. Lee, a seasoned master distiller at the brink of retirement, did something a bit more timeless. He launched Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon, a tribute to his mentor, Colonel Albert B. Blanton.

The good colonel had overseen the distillery through Prohibition, the Great Depression, and even literal floods. After Prohibition ended in 1933, he commissioned Warehouse H: a metal-clad storage solution that aged bourbon differently due to dramatic temperature swings. What began as a practical workaround became one of the distillery’s defining features.

Back in the 1940s, Colonel Blanton would handpick his finest barrels from the centre-cut of Warehouse H for special guests and bottle them one at a time. Lee, having learned this from the Colonel firsthand, resurrected the tradition and gave it a name. Blanton’s wasn’t just a nod to the past; it was a mic drop for the future of bourbon.

Lee’s gamble paid off. Launched just a year before his retirement, Blanton’s became the world’s first commercially available single barrel bourbon, kickstarting what would soon be known as the ‘super premium’ bourbon category. 

Today, while many distilleries offer single barrel expressions, Blanton’s remains the originator – and many would argue, the pinnacle.

The men behind Blanton’s: Elmer T. Lee and Colonel Albert Bacon Blanton

Elmer T. Lee returned from World War II with an engineering degree and a thirst for bourbon brilliance. He first approached the distillery for a job only to be turned away by Blanton himself, who reportedly told him, “Son, we’re not hiring any hands today.” A week later, Lee was on the payroll.

From maintenance engineer to master distiller, Lee modernised the distillery, created Blanton’s, and eventually became a bourbon icon. His post-retirement role as ambassador and master distiller emeritus kept him in the game until his passing in 2013. Along the way, he picked up plenty of accolades, including a spot in the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame and multiple lifetime achievement awards.

Colonel Albert Bacon Blanton, meanwhile, was bourbon royalty. Born in 1881 near the distillery, he started as an office boy at 16 and eventually became president in 1921. He steered the distillery through some of the trickiest times in American history, and his dedication to quality never wavered. The honorific title “Colonel” was bestowed on him by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The name “Bacon” was bestowed on him because somebody in the family had a sense of humour, clearly.  

A statue of him still stands at Buffalo Trace, carved with fitting tribute: Master Distiller, True Kentucky Gentleman.

Where is Blanton’s whiskey made?

Blanton’s is crafted at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. 

The Albert B. Blanton Bottling Hall, named in honour of the Colonel himself, remains part of the distillery tour. Bourbon pilgrims, take note.

The magic of Warehouse H

Most warehouses are built to age bourbon. Warehouse H is built to challenge it.

Constructed from metal rather than traditional brick or stone, Warehouse H reacts dramatically to Kentucky’s four-season swing. Heat and cold seep in faster, causing more frequent expansion and contraction in the barrels. That means more oak interaction, more complexity, and ultimately, more flavour.

This warehouse wasn’t just a happy accident. It became the spiritual home of Blanton’s when single barrel production kicked off in 1984. Today, Warehouse H is still where the magic matures.

Why is Blanton’s so good?

Blanton’s starts with a high-rye mash bill, what is known as “Mash Bill #2 at Buffalo Trace”, which includes corn, rye, and malted barley. The grains are mashed, fermented, and double-distilled before entering new, heavily charred American oak barrels.

Then, it’s off to Warehouse H, where those metal walls keep the bourbon in a constant dance with the wood. No chilling out during winter; the whiskey matures year-round.

But here’s the kicker: barrels aren’t picked based on age. A tasting panel selects each one by flavour alone. Each bottle is drawn from just one barrel, unblended, and bottled by hand. It’s a time-consuming, low-yield process, which is exactly why it’s so prized.

What’s with the Horse on the Bottle?

It’s not just decorative. Since 1999, Blanton’s bottle stoppers have featured a horse and jockey in different stages of a race. 

Collect all eight and you’ll spell out B-L-A-N-T-O-N-’S. If you can’t spot the letters, they’re on the far left of the stopper, behind the horse’s hind leg, usually. 

It’s a brilliant nod to Kentucky’s twin obsessions: bourbon and thoroughbreds. The final stopper, with the triumphant finish, is marked by an “S” – and yes, there’s a whole subculture dedicated to finding them all.

Why is Blanton’s so hard to get?

In a word: demand. 

Despite increased production, bourbon takes time. Blanton’s ages slowly, and only so many barrels meet the taste-test criteria. Supply hasn’t caught up with global thirst, and thanks to strict American laws, Buffalo Trace can’t sell directly to consumers. 

So if you spot a bottle, act fast. And no, there’s no secret stash.

What makes Blanton’s so special?

Single barrel pioneer. Metal warehouse magic. Kentucky horseplay. Blanton’s combines rich history with remarkable spirit.

It fundamentally revolutionised bourbon, and that’s why it’s worth chasing.

The Last Drop: Blanton’s whiskey review

Let’s take a look at two of its signature whiskies that you can purchase right now from Master of Malt (just click the links in the product names). 

Blanton’s Original Single Barrel Whiskey

A benchmark bourbon with a warm, spicy profile. Drawn from a single barrel and bottled at 46.5% ABV.

Tasting Note:

Nose: A deep, satisfying nose of nutmeg and spices.

Palate: Powerful dry vanilla notes in harmony with hints of honey amid strong caramel and corn.

Finish: A medium finish composed of returning corn and nutmeg flavours.

Blanton’s Gold Edition Whiskey

A punchier, more complex expression of the single barrel format. Bottled at higher proof (51.5% ABV), and not shy about it.

Tasting Note:

Nose: Oaky, dry. Plenty of fruit, mostly dried. Chewy peels, floral. Spicy.

Palate: Complex, enjoyable top notes, chewy oak. Dark stone fruits, deep spices, peppy and rich.

Finish: Long, toffee, drying.

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