Blanton's Gold Review, Price, Proof, Where to Buy

Blanton’s Gold, Blanton’s Bourbon Gold Standard

Blanton’s Gold Edition is a step up from the already hyped Blanton’s Original Single Barrel. Produced at the iconic Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfurt, Kentucky, it only makes sense that bourbon lovers in the U.S. now get a shot of internationally renowned expression. In this Blanton’s Gold review, we’ll explore what makes this release special and provide all the details you need about its price, proof, release date and availability. For starters though, did you know technically there are multiple versions of Blanton’s Gold?

The Story Behind Blanton’s Gold

Blanton’s Gold Edition has long been a coveted bottle among collectors, or better yet bourbon-obsessed consumers, particularly for those abroad. More specifically, the Japanese market. Released initially for international markets, this bourbon leans into the Buffalo Trace single barrel distillate, offering a higher proof than the standard Blanton’s Single Barrel. As of 2020, this relatively new distribution within the U.S. market brings added excitement to Blanton’s fanboys, as if they needed any more help.

Blanton’s Lineup

Blanton’s Original Single Barrel – The flagship of the lineup.
Blanton’s Gold Edition – A higher-proof variation with more robust flavor.
Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel – Uncut and unfiltered for maximum intensity.
Blanton’s Black Label – A rare Japanese-exclusive release.
Blanton’s Green Label – A lower-proof version, primarily found overseas.

* As we mentioned above, technically there are multiple versions of Blanton’s Gold even, but for this article we are focusing on Blanton’s lineup in the U.S. currently. More on Blanton’s Takara Gold, and Blanton’s Gold Store Pick in an upcoming article.

Review & Tasting Notes

Today, Blanton’s bourbon is both beloved and scoffed at, depending on which side of the connoisseur spectrum you happen to fall on currently. That is seemingly an unfortunate result of its own success and a culmination of the bourbon boom all packed into one.

Regardless of how you look at it though, it deserves a lot of credit for making the Single Barrel Bourbon product offering as popular as it is today. However, while it can officially say it’s responsible for the “innovation” of the product category, it is certainly not responsible for the whiskey production strategy of hand-picking honey barrels.

Elmer T. Lee was known for making single barrel picks for friends and family as early as the 1950s, but it wasn’t until 1984 that Blanton’s Bourbon officially became a mainstay. It would be more than a decade later when Blanton’s Gold was introduced, and that was exported internationally.

Blanton’s Gold Edition is now available in the United States as of 2020, following years of exclusivity abroad. To be exact, that would be 28 years later. Gold Edition was officially released in 1992, albeit in the Japanese market. The Japanese market alone helped save a lot of bourbon brands when the category was in the dumps. Therefore, they were rewarded for their affinity and taste for premium American Whiskey.

What’s the difference between Blanton’s Gold vs Blanton’s Original Single Barrel? Let’s start with the famous grenade bottle with the horse stopper on the top. The first thing we noticed is the neck label. On the original bottle it appears more like brown paper, while the Gold label blatantly says “Blanton’s Gold Edition” and it is a gold foil color. The wax color is a brownish or black wax. The box itself doesn’t jump out as wildly different unless you’re comparing them side-by-side. Although it does feature a picture of the gold bottle that is included inside.

As for the juice in the bottle, Gold is a more potent version of Original Single Barrel. The Gold proofing is ten points higher, coming in at 103 proof. It is rumored to be 6-8 years in age. Overall, we believe that the Blanton’s lineup in general drinks better at a higher proofing.

Color

Warm amber with golden highlights.

Nose

Rich notes of spicy rye, toasted nuts, dried apricots, and hints of spiced orange.

Palate

A complex mix of vanilla, caramel, dark fruit, and oak spice, with a creamy, full-bodied texture.

Finish

Long and warming, featuring cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and lingering oak.

Barrel

Blanton’s Gold Bourbon is aged in Warehouse H, ultimately where all of the Blanton’s lineup is destined to go at some point during it’s maturation. Although, it is not assumed that every barrel spends the entire durataion of it

Release Date & Availability

So if you’ve been wondering if you can you buy Blanton’s Gold in the US, yes Blaton’s Gold for sale in America since 2020! Distribution remains limited, even more scarce than Blanton’s Original Single Barrel. Nonetheless, Blanton’s Gold Edition is released once a year in America.

Proof & ABV

Blanton’s Gold is bottled at 103-proof, which is equivalent to 51.5% ABV. This proof level delivers a perfect balance of strength and complexity. Nonetheless, expect some strong legs on your favorite bourbon glass!

Mash Bill

The mash bill for Blanton’s Gold is consistent with Buffalo Trace’s high-rye bourbon recipe, which is assumed to be 10-15% rye. This is referred to as Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #2, however Buffalo Trace does not disclose the exact percentages.

Nonetheless, it should be noted that the Buffalo Trace “high-rye mash bill” is only referred to as such in comparison to Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1. Both recipes are much less rye content than typically found in high-rye bourbons. Those can range 20–35% rye content.

MSRP & Secondary Price

Blanton’s Gold 750ml is priced at an MSRP of $120. However, given its popularity and limited availability, secondary market prices can soar to $300 or more.

Verdict

Blanton’s Gold Edition is indeed a better display of the Blanton’s Bourbon nameplate. Perhaps it’s a matter of preference with the higher-proof offering, but this is a much more complex experience. In this scenario, that also comes with a much larger price tag. We have one in our collection that was purchased for $225, a fair price to us at the time for the rarity and tasting experience.

While availability in the U.S. is a welcome change, its limited allocation means it will still be a challenge to find. If you’re lucky enough to secure a bottle, the Gold label will undoubtedly deliver an unforgettable bourbon experience. Its higher proof and refined flavor profile set it apart from other offerings in the Blanton’s lineup, making it an ideal bottle for special occasions or an exceptional addition to any collection.

However, if you’re looking at value alone, theoretically you can score two bottles of the Original Single Barrel for the price of one Gold. Your best shot at scoring a bottle at MSRP is traveling to Japan. Then again, your significant other might think you’ve officially went off the deep end and the plane ticket offsets several bottles alone. Crazed bourbon fans have definitely been known to do much wilder things however. Happy hunting!