Whiskey Review/Tasting: Blanton's Gold Edition

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Produced at the Buffalo Trace Distillery, previously known as the Frankfurt Distillery or Ancient Age Distillery.
Type: Bourbon.
Distillation and Maturation Process: Single barrel, filtered, with a specific mention of being stored in warehouse H, barrel number 118, and laid on rig number four. The whiskey was distilled on May 12, 2011.
Age Statement: Not explicitly mentioned, but the bottle discussed was from 2011.
Color and Clarity: Slightly darker than the single barrel version with 45-46.5% ABV, suggesting a rich, amber hue.
Bottle Design: Features a cast metal (likely brass) horse rider, presumed to be Colonel Blanton, on the cork. The bottle is part of a collectible series with corks labeled with letters to spell "BLANTON'S," encouraging collection through purchase.

Balance of Flavors: A harmonious blend of vanilla, oakiness without the bitterness associated with European oak, dark and dried fruits with a fresher profile, spring or early summer blooms, and a hint of sweet chocolate.
Unique Characteristics: The absence of a glue-like taste that some connoisseurs find off-putting, and a notable presence of American white oak flavors.
Comparison: Not directly compared to other whiskies, but noted as darker and presumably richer than the standard single barrel version.

Interesting Anecdotes: The collectible aspect of the bottle corks, designed to spell out "BLANTON'S" with different horse rider figures, is highlighted as a fun, engaging feature for collectors.
Production Trivia: The whiskey is part of a range that includes various expressions, such as the no longer broadly available Silver Edition and the high-proof "straight from the cask" version.

Historical Context: Blanton's Gold Edition is tied to the rich heritage of the Buffalo Trace Distillery, one of America's oldest distilleries with a complex history and name changes.
Geographical Significance: The whiskey embodies the tradition of Kentucky bourbon, renowned for its distinctive production methods and flavor profiles.

Horst Luening's Opinion: Describes Blanton's Gold Edition as "one of the very, very best bourbons," highlighting its status as a "lighthouse whiskey from the bourbon industry."
Memorable Quote: "Vanilla, vanilla, vanilla, wonderful. I like it."

Blanton's Gold Edition is a premium bourbon from the Buffalo Trace Distillery, celebrated for its rich flavor profile and collectible bottle design.
The whiskey boasts a harmonious blend of vanilla, oak, dark fruits, floral notes, and sweet chocolate, without the bitterness often found in European oak-aged spirits.
Unique for its collectible corks featuring horse rider figures, encouraging enthusiasts to collect the entire series.
Horst Luening praises it as a standout bourbon, emphasizing its significance within the bourbon industry.

Bourbon Enthusiasts: Individuals with a deep appreciation for bourbon will find the rich, complex flavor profile of Blanton's Gold Edition particularly rewarding.
Collectors: Those interested in the aesthetic and collectible aspects of whiskey will be drawn to the unique bottle design and the series of collectible corks.
Connoisseurs Seeking Unique Flavors: Aficionados looking for a bourbon that stands out from the typical profiles, especially those who appreciate a strong vanilla presence and the absence of certain off-putting tastes.
Beginners with a Taste for Premium Spirits: Newcomers to whiskey willing to invest in a higher-end bourbon as an introduction to the category's quality offerings.