Blanton's is one of the most asked-about bourbons we carry, and also one of the most confusing. There is more than one Blanton's, the bottles look almost identical, and some come in 700 mL while others come in 750 mL. Here is a plain guide to what each one is and how they differ.
Where Blanton's comes from
Blanton's Single Barrel was introduced in 1984 by master distiller Elmer T. Lee at the distillery now known as Buffalo Trace in Frankfort, Kentucky. It was the first modern bourbon brand marketed as a single barrel bourbon, meaning every bottle comes from one barrel rather than a blend of many. The brand is named after Colonel Albert B. Blanton, who started at the distillery in 1897 at age 16 and worked there for roughly 55 years.
Every Blanton's barrel ages in Warehouse H, the only metal-clad warehouse at Buffalo Trace. The metal walls let temperature swings reach the barrels more quickly than brick, which speeds up maturation. Each bottle is hand-labeled with its barrel number, warehouse, rick and dump date.
The stoppers
The racehorse-and-jockey stopper is the brand's trademark. There are eight designs, each stamped with one letter of B-L-A-N-T-O-N-S, and each showing a different stage of a horse race, from the start to the finish line. Many collectors try to complete the full set.
The Blanton's lineup
Blanton's Original Single Barrel (93 proof)
The bottle most people mean when they say Blanton's. Bottled at 93 proof (46.5% ABV), it is the standard US release and the easiest place to start. We carry it in the US 750 mL size and the 700 mL export size, both at the same price.
Blanton's Gold (103 proof)
A higher-proof version bottled at 103 proof, recognizable by its gold horse and lettering. Gold was long an export-only bottling before a US release in 2020. We carry the 700 mL export bottle.
Blanton's Straight from the Barrel (cask strength)
Uncut and unfiltered, bottled at whatever proof the barrel gives, which varies from bottle to bottle and is often well above 120 proof. Like Gold, it was traditionally an export bottling before reaching the US in 2020. Check the label on your bottle for its exact proof, and add a few drops of water if it runs hot.
Blanton's Special Reserve, green label (80 proof)
A lighter, 80 proof bottling made for export markets and identified by its green label. It is a gentler introduction to the Blanton's profile.
Blanton's Black Label (80 proof)
Also 80 proof, Black Label was made for the Japanese market and is the hardest of the core bottlings to find in the US.
Why some bottles are 700 mL
The US standard bottle is 750 mL. Most export markets use 700 mL, so bottlings made for overseas, such as Gold, Straight from the Barrel and Special Reserve, usually come in the 700 mL size. The bourbon inside is not different because of the bottle size; it simply tells you which market the bottle was made for.
Which one should you buy?
- First Blanton's or a gift: the Original. It is the classic and the best value of the lineup.
- You like a bigger, bolder pour: Gold, or Straight from the Barrel if you enjoy cask strength.
- You want something softer: the green label Special Reserve.
- Collecting stoppers: the Original 3-pack or 6-pack is the quickest way to add letters.
Every order ships with adult-signature delivery. Browse the full range in our Blanton's collection.
