Blanton's Gold Edition bourbon set to invade U.S. this summer

For anyone who works in a retail liquor store, the question heard most often is, “Do you have any Blanton’s?” Well, bourbon collectors and retailers alike, hold on to your butts, because Buffalo Trace announced this week that for the first time, Blanton’s Gold Edition will be available in the United States.

The Gold Edition of Blanton’s is made with the same mash bill as original Blanton’s Single Barrel bourbon, but with a higher proof – the original is a smooth and silky 93 proof, while the Gold version is bottled at 103 proof. In other words, now there are two Blanton’s products for whiskey heads to chase down.

Previously, the bourbon was sold only in select non-U.S. markets. Apparently, the decision to make the change was a result of consumer demand.

“We’ve seen Blanton’s soar in popularity over the last few years, and fans have asked us for the Gold version in the U.S. too,” Kris Comstock, senior marketing director for Buffalo Trace, said in a news release. “We’re thrilled to fulfill their requests this summer.” 

Like the original, Blanton’s Gold has the signature race horse stopper, each one a bit different and each one bearing a letter that helps spell out “Blantons.” The new versions are sparkling gold, for obvious reasons.

Buffalo Trace’s tasting notes for Blanton’s Gold describe it as “having a nose marked by honey, heavy rye, dried fruits, vanilla, and chocolate. The taste is described as full and rich, marked by apricot, butter, pepper, light honey, and oak. The finish has been called long, with toffee and apple, developing on pecan and caramel.”

The original Blanton’s was the first single barrel bourbon, created in 1984 by distilling legend Elmer T. Lee. The tradition was traced back to a practice of former Buffalo Trace president Col. Albert B. Blanton would hand-pick barrels from the center of a specific warehouse, referring to them as “honey barrels.” When Lee was tasked with creating a new bourbon, he borrowed Col. Blanton’s method.

In recent years, the bourbon has seen a sharp rise to prominence, which also has resulted in its scarcity – consumers who used to be able to procure a bottle at their local liquor store now have far fewer options, and many can’t find one at all. Other times, retailers jack up the prices.

Gold will be even more scarce, and will have a suggested retail price of $120. And just like that, another craze begins.