Blanton’s Gold Edition
Let’s get the obvious out of the way - the topper in the picture is not a Blanton’s topper (the Gold edition comes with a fittingly golden horse). It is a Hibiki Japanese Harmony cork that I had to use because the Blanton’s topper wasn’t holding a seal.
Alright. With that out of the way, let me introduce the first step up in the Blanton’s line. Blanton’s Gold was introduced to the Japanese market in 1993 with an additional 10 proof points and, instead of the white/cream label, gold writing directly on the bottle. I like the aesthetic, but it is a bit hard to read at times. This particular bottle was dumped on 10-9-2018, meaning it was barreled somewhere between 2010-2012.
Comparing the Gold edition to the Blanton’s Original is a great exercise in how just a few proof points can make a huge difference in the flavor profile. You know it’s Blanton’s - it’s not off-profile - but it’s definitely kicked up a notch. Finally, after 27 years, in 2020 Buffalo Trace announced they would be bringing the Gold edition to the United States for the first time (along with the Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel release). Took them long enough!
Blanton’s Gold: Specs
Classification: American Bourbon
Origin: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Mashbill: Mashbill #2
Proof: 103 (51.5% ABV)
Age: NAS, 6-8 Years
Location: Warehouse H, Rick 56, Cask 192, Bottle 194
Blanton’s Gold Price: $99 (MSRP for 750ml)
Blanton’s Gold Edition Review: Tasting Notes
Eye: Coppered amber. Medium legs and rims with beady droplets on the rim.
Nose: Grapes and ethanol up front - lots of sweetness. More heat than I’m used to with the Blanton’s Original. Some toasted vanilla comes out of the glass.
Palate: Tingly heat up front with lots of vanilla and custard behind it. Peppery spice with dark chocolate and orange zest that develop after the initial burn. Mouthfeel is full and oily, finding and coating every corner of my mouth. The heat starts dissipating quickly - that lets the fruitiness start building.
Finish: Very long - creme brûlée with vanilla sweetness and chocolate shavings.
Overall: This grew on me sip by sip. It can easily stand up to the Original, maybe even above it. This has a great, creamy mouthfeel that strikes a beautiful balance between the classic Blanton’s flavor profile and the stronger proof. Plus, this finish just lasts forever. The nose holds it back a little bit at first but opens up more with air.
Final Rating: 8.5
10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close (Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel)
9 | Incredible | Extraordinary (GTS, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B518 and B520)
8 | Excellent | Exceptional (12+YO MGP Bourbon, Highland Park Single Barrels)
7 | Great | Well above average (Blanton’s Original, Old Weller Antique, Booker’s)
6 | Very Good | Better than average (Four Roses Small Batch Select, Knob Creek 14+ YO Picks)
5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary (Elijah Craig Small Batch, Buffalo Trace, Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond)
4 | Sub-par | Many things I’d rather have (A.D. Laws Four Grain, Compass Box “Oak Cross”)
3 | Bad | Flawed (Iron Smoke Bourbon, Balcones)
2 | Poor | Forced myself to drink it (Buckshee Bourbon and Rye)
1 | Disgusting | Drain pour (Virginia Distilling Co. Cider Cask)
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