I’ll admit, when I received the press release from Buffalo Trace today, I felt a little excited and a little apprehensive about what I was about to read after the headline. You see, Blanton’s Gold has been one of those export-only bourbons that I keep on my list of bottles to seek out when I travel abroad. For the past several years I almost always find it in a bar, if not in a liquor store, every time I visit Japan. I now have an affinity for the 100-plus proof bourbon category, and Blanton’s Gold was a nice treat to be able to pickup when I am outside of the U.S.
Though, I am excited at the chance that I may be able to have an occasional pour of Blanton’s Gold at a bar inside the U.S. in the future, I hold almost no hope for being able to find a bottle for purchase on the shelf in my market. With it being a once per year, very limited release, I’m going to say this release will definitely become one of those bottles that gets lumped in with the annual BTAC raffles selling at higher than the SRP of $120 for the foreseeable future. I only hope that I continue to have good luck in finding this treat of a bottle in the export market during any future travels abroad. Keep your eyes peeled when this one comes out, maybe you’ll get lucky and have the chance to grab a bottle yourself. You can read the full press release from Buffalo Trace Distillery below.
FRANKFORT, FRANKLIN COUNTY, KY (Feb 27, 2020) Fans of Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon have long asked for the Gold Edition to be available in the United States. This summer those bourbon lovers will get their wish. Available as a limited release in 2020, Blanton’s Gold will be released once every year in the U.S.
This is the first time the Blanton’s Gold Edition has been made available in the U.S. Previously the only version of the Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon available to fans stateside was the Original Single Barrel, bottled at 93 proof. While Blanton’s Original will still be available, the Gold Edition is now joining the ranks.
“We’ve seen Blanton’s soar in popularity over the last few years, and fans have asked us for the Gold version in the U.S. too,” said Kris Comstock, senior marketing director. “We’re thrilled to fulfill their requests this summer.”
The 103 proof Blanton’s Gold Edition is the same recipe as Blanton’s Original, but the proof is greater. The bottle showcases a horse and jockey atop its stopper, in various poses to mimic running a horse race. The eight different horse and jockey stoppers feature a letter that collectors save to spell out the brand name “B-L-A-N-T-O-N-S.” The horse and jockey on the Gold Edition is gold in color.
Tasting notes for Blanton’s Gold describe it as having a nose marked by honey, heavy rye, dried fruits, vanilla, and chocolate. The taste is described as full and rich, marked by apricot, butter, pepper, light honey, and oak. The finish has been called long, with toffee and apple, developing on pecan and caramel.
Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon is the world’s first single barrel bourbon, created in 1984 by Elmer T. Lee. Named after former distillery president Colonel Albert B. Blanton, Elmer recalled how Colonel Blanton would handpick “honey barrels” from the center cut of Warehouse H for the many parties Blanton held. Many years later, the Distillery called upon Elmer to create a new bourbon in 1984 and Blanton’s was born – the world’s first single barrel bourbon.
Today, Blanton’s Single Barrel has become one of the most revered and award-winning bourbons on the market. The Blanton’s Gold Edition was the second version created, after the Original 93 proof. Gold will be available in the U.S. on a very limited basis for a suggested retail price of $120. For more information on Blanton’s Gold Edition visit www.blantonsbourbon.com.
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