Review by: Raygun
Ah, Blanton’s. The tater’s favorite. Had a modern Blanton’s at a bar once and came away unimpressed. Still, when the chance came to try a dusty one from Japan, I couldn’t pass that up. Bottled 9/22/2000. Was Blanton’s in fact better before the current bourbon craze? We’ll find out. Reviewed from a sample. Rested about 10 minutes.
Distillery: Buffalo Trace
Bottler: Buffalo Trace
Region/style: Kentucky straight bourbon
ABV: 46.5%.
Age: Botted 9/22/00
Cask type: New charred oak
Price: ??
Color: 1.4 tawny. Natural Color.
Nose: Caramel and toffee. Oak and a touch of leather. Smells like bourbon, to be honest. Nothing too remarkable.
Palate: What do you know, it tastes like bourbon, too. Caramel corn and cinnamon toast stick out. Vanilla cookies. It’s nice enough, but no question the low proof holds it back. Drinks easily, anyway.
Finish: Caramel, root beer, mild spice and oak. All pretty moderate, really. Pretty short.
Conclusion:
Conclusion: It’s all right. Straight from the Barrel is a favorite of mine, but why the standard offering is so sought after continues to elude me. Maybe this was a weak barrel, but it comes across as a pretty average bourbon. Entirely drinkable. Nothing to make it stand out over any number of other things that are easier to find. It’s just not very exciting.
Buy a bottle? Not like I’ll find one, but no great loss either.
Final Score: 71.
Scoring Legend:
- 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
- 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category. (Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel)
- 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram. (Stagg Jr batch 12)
- 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff. (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof (new))
- 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting. (Pikesville Rye)
- 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better. (Wild Turkey 101)
- 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink. (Maker’s Mark)
- 50-59: Save it for mixing. (Old Grandad 114)
- 0-49: Blech. (High West Yippee-ki-yay)
Malt Runners 
