Blanton's Straight From The Barrel Proof 130.3 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 65.15%

There's only one place on earth where this whiskey is born – Warehouse H at Buffalo Trace in Kentucky, where Kentucky's brutal summers and cold winters push bourbon and oak together harder than almost anywhere else on the property. From here, the whiskey is pulled straight out of the barrel, no water, no filter. This is Blanton's at its rawest.

Expert's Description

Blanton's Straight From The Barrel is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey matured in new charred American oak barrels and bottled at barrel proof of 65.15%.

This expression is uncut and unfiltered, dumped straight from the barrel with no adjustment to strength or appearance. It shares the same high-rye mash bill (Mash Bill #2) as the rest of the Blanton's range, but where Original and Gold Edition are cut down to 46.5% and 51.5% respectively, Straight From The Barrel keeps the whiskey's full, natural barrel strength.

For years this bottle was only available outside the U.S., mainly in Japan, where the rights to Blanton's belong to Takara Shuzo. Buffalo Trace Distillery still distills and ages every Blanton's expression, no matter where it ends up being sold. Since 2020, a small allocation has also reached the U.S. market, though it remains a bottle worth hunting for.

Because each bottle comes from a single barrel, the proof shifts from one dump to the next, typically somewhere between 125 and 135. This particular dump lands at 130.3 proof, and the barrel's dump date is printed right on the label, so no two bottles are quite the same.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Dark chocolate and caramel meet an earthy hint of walnut and hazelnut, with the heat to come already announcing itself.

Palate

The barrel proof unfolds into warm vanilla, oak and toasted nuts, spicy and intense, with a trace of butterscotch and honey underneath.

Finish

Long and warming, with spice and oak lingering well after the last sip.

Specifications

Name: Blanton's Straight From The Barrel
Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Region/Country: Kentucky, USA
Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
ABV: 65.15%
Cask Type: New charred American oak barrels
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural color: Yes

Flavor Profile

Full-Bodied · Spicy · Sweet · Oak-Driven

Investment Potential

Medium. Blanton's is one of the most collected bourbon names in the world, and Straight From The Barrel is the most concentrated expression in the lineup, recently named Best Single Barrel Bourbon at the World Whiskies Awards. That said, it's a recurring part of Blanton's core range rather than a one-off release, which keeps the potential at medium rather than high.

Did You Know?

Blanton's was created in 1984 by master distiller Elmer T. Lee as his personal parting gift to the industry. It was the world's first commercially available single barrel bourbon, and it single-handedly created an entirely new category: super premium bourbon.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Blanton's Straight From The Barrel

What is Blanton's Straight From The Barrel?

It's the uncut, unfiltered barrel-proof expression of Blanton's, bottled directly from the barrel with no water added. That makes it the most intense and unadulterated bottling in the entire Blanton's range.

Is Blanton's Straight From The Barrel worth it?

Yes, based on rarity and quality – it's made by Buffalo Trace, the distillery behind some of the world's most sought-after bourbons, and every bottle comes from a single, unique barrel. It has also picked up international awards for quality along the way.

Why does the proof vary from bottle to bottle?

Because every barrel matures differently. Since the whiskey is bottled straight from the barrel without being blended with other casks, the strength ends up different depending on how much has evaporated during maturation.

What's the difference between Straight From The Barrel and Blanton's Original?

Both come from the same distillate and mash bill, but Original is cut down to 46.5%, while Straight From The Barrel keeps its full, natural barrel strength and isn't filtered or adjusted.

How should Blanton's Straight From The Barrel be served?

Best served neat in a nosing glass, ideally with a small glass of water on the side. The high strength also means a few drops of water can help open up the aromas.

Why are Blanton's bottles so sought after by collectors?

A lot of it comes down to the stopper: eight different horse-and-jockey figures, shown mid-race, spell out the word "BLANTON'S" between them, which makes the bottles something collectors actively hunt and trade.

How old is the whiskey in the bottle?

Buffalo Trace doesn't publish an official age statement for Straight From The Barrel. Industry sources point to roughly 6-8 years, but this varies from barrel to barrel and isn't stated on the label.