Is Blanton’s Overrated? A Bourbon Lover’s Honest Take
If you’ve been in the bourbon world for more than five minutes, chances are you’ve heard the buzz around Blanton’s bourbon. From the iconic horse stoppers to its reputation as a must-have single barrel, Blanton’s has reached legendary status. For a lot of people, it’s the first “special” bottle they chase.
But here’s the real question: Is Blanton’s actually worth the hype, or is it overrated?
The short answer is yes, it’s overrated. Blanton’s is a solid bourbon and looks great on a shelf, but once you taste past the hype there are plenty of bottles that deliver more for less. Let’s walk through the lineup: Blanton’s Original, Blanton’s Gold, and Blanton’s Straight From the Barrel.
Blanton’s Original: A Starter Unicorn
Blanton’s Original Single Barrel, often called “regular Blanton’s,” is usually someone’s first allocated bottle. At 93 proof, it’s approachable, smooth, and easy to sip.
The issue is that it rarely justifies the hype or the inflated prices.
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Retail Price: $65–70 if you can find it
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Secondary Price: $150 or more
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Flavor Profile: Caramel, vanilla, a touch of spice, approachable but simple
It’s a nice pour, but bourbons like Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel, Four Roses Single Barrel, or Wild Turkey Rare Breed bring more flavor at a lower cost and are much easier to track down.
Blanton’s Original is fun to have on your bar, especially if you land it at retail, but it isn’t the holy grail some make it out to be.
Blanton’s Gold: A Shinier Bottle, Higher Price
The next step for many bourbon fans is Blanton’s Gold. With its golden label and slightly higher proof of 103, it promises more depth than the Original.
To be fair, it delivers. The flavors are richer, with more oak, spice, and weight on the palate. The problem comes with the price.
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Retail Price (International): Around $120
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U.S. Secondary Price: $400 to $600 or more
At international retail it feels fairly priced. In the United States, secondary prices are driven by scarcity, not quality. For the same money you could stock up on several bottles that outperform it.
Blanton’s Gold is enjoyable, but unless you get it close to retail it isn’t worth the chase.
Blanton’s Straight From the Barrel: Bold but Familiar
The heavy hitter in the lineup is Blanton’s Straight From the Barrel. Bottled at barrel proof, often over 120, it is bold, rich, and powerful. On paper it sounds like the dream pour for bourbon enthusiasts.
In practice, it’s good but not as unique as its reputation suggests. I’ve had it a few times and while I enjoyed it, I wasn’t blown away compared to other barrel proof bourbons.
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Retail Price (International): Around $150
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Secondary Price: $300 to $500 or more
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Flavor Profile: Dark caramel, oak, baking spice, heat
Alternatives like Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, Stagg, or Larceny Barrel Proof deliver the same firepower, sometimes more complexity, and usually for half the price.
Blanton’s Straight From the Barrel is a strong bourbon, but it doesn’t justify the inflated secondary market hype.
Why People Chase Blanton’s
So why does Blanton’s get more attention than it deserves? There are three main reasons.
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Scarcity marketing. Buffalo Trace carefully limits supply to drive demand.
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Collectible toppers. Many fans get hooked on completing the full “B-L-A-N-T-O-N-S” horse set.
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Cult status. Once a bourbon is seen as a unicorn, the mystique often overshadows the actual flavor.
That combination keeps Blanton’s prices inflated even though plenty of comparable or better bourbons sit on shelves.
Final Thoughts: Should You Buy Blanton’s?
If you come across Blanton’s at retail, buy it. It’s good bourbon, it looks fantastic on a shelf, and it’s always a fun conversation starter.
But is it worth the hype or the inflated secondary pricing? Not at all. Whether it’s Blanton’s Original, Blanton’s Gold, or Blanton’s Straight From the Barrel, there are better values and more exciting bourbons you can enjoy without overpaying.
At the end of the day, bourbon isn’t about unicorn bottles. It’s about sharing good pours with good people, and you don’t need a $500 bottle of Blanton’s to do that.