And let’s not forget the oak casks: the oak used is first stripped and left to weather for six months. This process removes the bitter tannins, allowing for a smoother flavor once the mixture has been added. Similarly, Japanese youth wanted something different than the Scotch their elders were drinking, so bourbon it was. Blanton’s marketing plan to reach Japanese drinkers was a success, and it became a favorite export in the country. Reverse psychology at play, Americans eventually envied the Japanese bourbon trend. Soon enough, Blanton’s took off in the country it came from. Blanton’s barrels are kind of coddled. This much-loved spirit has a distinct flavor profile and a history to match. The time, care, dedication, and craftsmanship that goes into Bourbon make it quite unlike anything else you’ll spot in the liquor cupboard. In 1964, Congress even declared Bourbon “America’s Native Spirit.”

15 Best Bourbons: Top Whiskeys To Drink (2023) - Luxe Digital 15 Best Bourbons: Top Whiskeys To Drink (2023) - Luxe Digital

That’s why we maintain this up-to-date, carefully curated selection of the best bourbons available on the market. From the smoothest to the best premium and budget Bourbons, here’s everything you need to know when buying your next bottle. The best Bourbons of 2023Wild Turkey is another premium brand that’s been distilling whiskey for more than 100 years. It’s a brand that knows exactly what’s what when it comes to distilling: its master distiller is Jimmy Russell, the world’s longest-tenured active distiller. The grains are coarsely ground and added to water. The mixture is then heated, to break down the structure of the grains, which produces fermentable sugars. If you prefer to read about Bourbon before opening the bottle, jump to our sections below to learn more about Bourbon. Read more about the terms to know when talking about Bourbon or our methodology to select and rank the best Bourbon brands of the year. Four Roses Single Barrel: Overall best bourbon of 2023

15 Things You Need to Know About Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon

Arguably, the most crucial step of the Bourbon production process comes next: aging. Whiskey must be aged for at least two years before it can be called “straight whiskey”. A spirit distilled for a shorter period of time is known as “white dog” and has a paler, almost clear coloring and a sharp flavor. There are few bourbon bottles as iconic as the Blanton’s bottle. It’s one of the (many) reasons why this whiskey is as popular as it is today. The bourbon here is an absolutely beautiful, dark amber color. It lightens up a little bit when you pour out just a glass, but its still just the perfect shade.

You don’t have to spend hundreds on fancy bottles to drink excellent Bourbon. In fact, there are some fantastic lesser-known bottles hiding in price points that you wouldn’t expect. Whiskey is a spirit distilled from fermented grain mash (wheat, rye, barley, and corn) and then aged in wooden barrels. Blanton’s Original Single Barrel is the age defying brand that continues to please consumers year after year with a product that could easily vary widely barrel to barrel, yet rarely does. Its consistency delivers a classic bourbon flavor profile that will please almost anyone. While it may not be the best single barrel available at any given moment, even among its own Blanton’s siblings, it is by far and large, one of the more approachable ones. The next step differentiates Bourbon from whiskey. The mixture is pumped into a fermentation vat with yeast and, commonly, a sour mash mix. The mash is then distilled – mostly twice – to remove impurities and increase the strength of the liquid.

Whiskey Review: Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey Whiskey Review: Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey

Master Distiller Elmer T. Lee released Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon in 1984, at a time when the Bourbon industry appeared to be on a downward slope. But Blanton’s higher-rye mash bill proved a success, and the brand has risen from strength to strength over the years. But it can be difficult to know which brand and bottle are for you. How do you decide between the most popular Bourbons or, ultimately, find the best Bourbon of the year? The huge variety of brands, distilleries, proofs, and ages has made the world of whiskey a fascinating one, albeit slightly challenging if you’re not sure where to start. Simply add one sugar cube or ½ tsp. sugar, two dashes of Angostura bitters and garnish with a lemon or orange twist in a sturdy Old Fashioned glass to complete. The bottle is wrapped with an aged paper wrapper that has some basic information about the contents, including the hand-written details of where and when the whiskey comes from.

Distillation: A process where a liquid is heated and cooled for purity. For whiskey specifically, this is the part of the process where any existing alcohol created during fermentation is removed. The whiskey that eventually becomes Blanton’s is produced under contract by Buffalo Trace. It’s the same distillery where it has always been produced, but over the years the distillery was sold to Sazerac. This whiskey uses the “mashbill #2” formula for the grains, which is reportedly a high rye content version of their grain mixture — but the exact proportions are not disclosed. This is reportedly the same whiskey source as Ancient Age, the original whiskey produced by Age International. Small-Batch: There are no legally-defined parameters as to what “small-batch” actually means. However, it’s the term used for whiskey that’s been produced in select numbers on a limited basis. But while this small-batch Bourbon has changed a few things over time, it’s kept its ‘super premium’ holding and taste. Blanton’s claims that it’s “the original single barrel Bourbon whiskey” and is known for its unique bottle shape.

Blanton’s Original Single Barrel Bourbon (2021)

Proof: Another term for measuring the alcoholic content of a beverage. The proof is double the alcohol by volume (ABV) measurement. It’s hard to believe a product made in the U.S. wasn’t originally appreciated by people living there. But it’s true. In fact, Blanton’s creators designed it that way. Young Americans in the ‘70s rebelled against their parents’ drinking habits (ah, the angsty youth) and opted for vodka. Sour Mash: The most common mixture of crushed malt and grain meal, “sour mash,” means adding some of the already used mash into a fresh batch for fermentation. Our methodology to select and rank the best Bourbon brands in the world Maker’s Mark isn’t as spicy as rye-influenced whiskeys, making it a great Bourbon for a pairing. And don’t be put off by the ‘whisky’ spelling: it uses a process similar to that of Scotch, but that’s where the similarities end. In fact that consistency was on display front and center during this review. The last bottle of Blanton’s Original Single Barrel that we reviewed was bottled exactly almost 8 years apart. Much like the bottle currently being reviewed, that bottle from 2013 delivered a well rounded and very good pour that was hard to dislike. Bottles tasted in between that time have shown that same consistency time and time again.

Blantons Original Bourbon Single Barrel Awards.

Blanton’s isn’t cheap these days, with demand outpacing supply and causing price hikes by retailers. Those willing to pay the premium price will do just about anything to get their hands on a bottle. Online scammers jumped at the opportunity to take advantage of them. Like the “all natural” on your bologna or “farm fresh,” quite possibly also on your bologna, “single-barrel” isn’t a legally defined term in the United States. Yes, that leaves a lot of wiggle room for creative interpretation. So far, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau ( TTB) hasn’t set up a legal definition. So for now, we’re working on the honor system. Legal or not, “single barrel” still really matters.