Blanton's Black Edition is a Japan export version of the traditional single barrel bourbon from Buffalo Trace bottled at 80 proof. It still comes from warehouse H, but is also noted for having a bit more age to it (8 years rather than the typical 6). I get to offer my thoughts thanks to @ra1nmannn being generous enough to share a sample with me. Let's dive in!
Company on Label: Blanton Distilling Company
Whiskey Type: Bourbon
Mash Bill Percentages: Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #2 (Higher Rye 12-15%)
Proof: 80°
Age: 8 years
Further identification: This single barrel bourbon will vary slightly depending on your dump date; the one reviewed here is a 9-8-21 dump date from barrel 60 stored on rick 41
Nose: An oily, viscous nose-feel jumps out at me. Sugar cookie leads into cherry skins and raisin. Intoxicating sugary aromas are impenetrable. Perfumed floral aromas build well. Goodness gracious that’s like a pixie stick - tingly sweet. Old-school tight oak leads into light lemon frosting.
Palate: My first sip perfectly follows the pixie stick comparison of the nose. Sugary strawberry and watermelon produces a profile I’ve never experienced on a whiskey before. Another sip is oily with light vanilla biscotti, sugar cookie and angel food cake. This is soft, but lovely. I can’t help but find parallels to some fantastic Irish whiskeys in this glass. It’s a little too light to deliver true wow factor, but I’m quite impressed with the flavors it does deliver. Mmm. My last sip is again fruity with raspberry, cherry and plum. It fades off slowly into a silky bed of roses.
Rating: 4/5
I like this a lot - quite a bit more than I was expecting to. It certainly takes a traditional Blanton's profile and manages to ramp it up much more in intensity and depth, despite the low proof. The more oily, malty notes this displays are probably why this gets marketed towards the Japanese market which is in general much closer to the Scotch and Irish whiskey industries.