Hannah’s Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon Review
Original review written on September 25, 2019
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
A warming bourbon that always has a home on my shelf. Brilliant for those who lean towards the darker fruits, particularly cherries. 89/100
Tip: mix with a standard sized bottle (12 oz.) of Guinness stout beer, vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup for a cherry treat!
VITALS:
– Made in: Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Buffalo Trace Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Single Barrel
– Age: nas
– Mash Bill: Suspected to be made from Buffalo Trace mash bill recipe #2, with rye component being between 12-15%
– Casks: New charred oak; Char: #4
– Barrel Entry Proof: 125
– ABV: 46.5% (93 proof)
– Price: $59.95 USD in Idaho
Visit buffalotracedistillery.com for more information
ENJOYMENT METHOD:
I enjoyed this juice neat from a Glencairn glass with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.
Check out his review for this bourbon here!
SETTING:
With the mellowness and cherries, I feel as though this bourbon politely asks to be enjoyed on a spring walking path with cherry blossom trees shrouding the trail in their full, pink bloom.
Photo by Sora Sagano on Unsplash
NOSE:
Little burn from alcohol, just a soft glow of warmth mixed with a gentle floral note, dried cherries and sweet maraschino cherries. Other scents include apple with brown sugar or caramel. A deep inhale coaxes out sweet almonds. Very little oak.
PALATE:
– Mouth feel: Very mellow and soft
– Balance: Blended
– Visual: A tawny color with clinging droplets in the Glencairn
– Taste: Cherries are there in both a fresh and dried capacity. The caramelly spice kicks in just at the end. Other dark fruits like figs are present in very small quantities. Truthfully, the blend is so well executed, it is hard to distinguish between other flavors.
With a Kentucky chew, the dried dark fruits take point at the sides of the tongue in a way almost reminiscent of fruit leather. There still isn’t a great deal of wood to taste, but with each sip, one feels as though it sneaks out more and more. This may also be due to increasing temperature in the glass. Definitely recommend drinking this warm for best tasting experience.
FINISH:
– Lasting power: There is a long finish that stays true to the dark cherry taste with the fruit leather.
– No More: As the bourbon warms, accompanying warmth comes through the taste. The oak also becomes more prominent and fills the empty Glencairn glass. I could sit and smell this glass all day.
WORTH THE PRICE?
Your answer may depend on what your favorite flavor profile is. I think it’s worth it.
RATING: 89/100
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