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Blanton’s Gold Edition Bourbon Whiskey. Frankfort, Kentucky, United States. ABV: 51.50%. Tasted at Whisky Live 2014.
Sampled: Blanton’s Special Reserve, Blanton’s Original Private Reserve, Blanton’s Gold Edition & Blanton’s Single Barrel No. 136.
The first two (Special Reserve and Original Private Reserve) were actually quite similar, not too much of a difference. The Original Private Reserve was possibly a little bit smoother, but Gold Edition was definitely the pick of this bunch. Lots of oak, vanilla and sweetness. More like a Scotch whisky than a bourbon. Maybe that’s why I liked it the best? In fact the further I worked my way up the range, the closer their qualities started to resemble Scotch whisky rather than bourbons.
Finally, I had the Single Barrel No. 136, which was bottled at a cask strength of 66.6%. I didn’t enjoy it as much, thought there was a bit too much heat. It just seemed a bit too over the top; too strong, intense, too much alcohol heat and spice to really enjoy the flavours.