This bottle is one of those ones that once you finally score one, you feel obligated to open. This is no exception for this Blanton's Straight from the Barrel. I have tried one pour of this before and was impressed enough to be excited to get this open.
Company on Label: Blanton Distilling Company
Whiskey Type: Bourbon
Mash Bill Percentages: Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #2 (Higher Rye 12-15%)
Proof: 128.5°
Age: 6 years
Further identification: Dumped 10-19-20 from Warehouse H, Rick 14, Barrel 58, Bottle 89.
Nose: Similar mustiness to the ECBP B521 I warmed up with. Earthy caramel & burnt molasses. Chocolate & a medium weight leather note. Vanilla is baked-in and dry, almost like angel food cake, if it weren't tied to a darker black pepper bite. Dusty oak is just a tiny influence in the back. Definitely still contributes to the dark, old kind of scent vibe. Now the vanilla turned more of a Nilla wafers with a sugary side appearing. After a sip more of the earthy, dry garden herbal notes come out. What was before musty in would now call funky with allspice, walnuts and some dark, dry tobacco leaf. Certainly a bit of ethanol if you dig deep, but very approachable for 128.5 proof. The sweet stone fruits just finally broke through like a stampede. If also brought along a strange smell I'd call akin to beef jerky. Following that funky meatiness is a musty oak & dark chocolate. Lemongrass and something still vaguely spicy like paprika. Late in the glass features something unique like maple syrup and pine sap.
Palate: Wow, palate is syrupy; instant prevalent plum and cherry mouth coating. As it thins there is a very intense spice that develops. The mouth coating does fade rather quickly on the first sip which leaves my tongue dry. More rich and thick than it is sweet, I'm presented with a lot of moody caramel. Things have finally opened up now where a suppressed citrus can now finally roam free. I get the sharp sour bite as if I sucked on a lemon wedge after a shot of tequila. Silky at first, then a thick caramel coating forms and finally a wave of delicious spice takes over on every sip. Fun, powerful & dynamic pour.
Rating: 4/5
