Fresh Out of Warehouse H, A Quartet of Blanton's Single Barrels Emerges: #562, #563, #597 & #598
Fresh out of aging in the Warehouse H at the Buffalo Trace Distillery, Blanton's appears to be rolling out a quartet of Single Barrels. Unveiled in La Maison du Whisky's new 2024 Foundations Collection, we have the Blanton's Single Barrel #562, Blanton's Single Barrel #563, Blanton's Single Barrel #597 and Blanton's Single Barrel #598.
Blanton's Single Barrel #562
Official Tasting Notes
Colour: deep burnished gold.
Nose: rich, unctuous. The aroma palette opens with sublime fragrances of cedar, iris and lily, which are accompanied by vanilla and spice (clove, nutmeg). Allowed to breathe, it develops more fruity registers (prune, date) and cereal notes (maize). Now more honeyed (lime blossom), citrus fruit zest (grapefruit, lemon) gradually brings more energy.
Palate: lively yet delicate. At first, a fine layer of salted butter caramel coats a wealth of different white fruits (apple, peach, pear). These fruits release their sweet and tangy juices across the palate. Finally, vanilla pod flavours bring a voluptuous ending.
Finish: long, smooth. The powdery (cocoa, grated ginger) and creamy (flan, coconut milk) finish continues into fresh herbaceous tones, liquorice and gentian root. On the retro-nasal olfaction, new tropical fruits (mango, persimmon, guava) make a perfectly timed entrance.
Bottled at 50%, this is a limited edition run of approximately 200 bottles.
Blanton's Single Barrel #563
Official Tasting Notes:
Colour: burnished gold with copper tinges.
Nose: full, ethereal. Opening on noble spices (pink peppercorn, saffron), heady florals (iris, geranium) and cereal notes (maize), the aroma palette is incredibly sophisticated and precise. Allowed to breathe, the focus shifts to camphor and chilli (Cayenne pepper). Gradually, nuts (almond, pecan) and citrus fruit zests (grapefruit, lemon) appear in a harmonious pairing.
Palate: distinguished, forthright. The flavour palette opens on delicious notes of aniseed and spice (cardamom), before quickly venturing into very complex cereal lands (maize, rye, malted barley). With time, cocoa bean and vanilla pod bring a deeply smooth and fresh feel. Banana and pineapple add a lovely tropical touch.
Finish: long, well-balanced. The rich (vanilla flan) and silky (peach skin) finish moves into registers marked by honey (lavender, acacia), roasted notes of coffee and herbal infusions (elderflower). Outstanding and surprising notes of blackcurrant bud seize the palate on the retro-nasal olfaction.
Bottled at 60% ABV, this is a limited edition run of approximately 200 bottles.
Blanton's Single Barrel #597
According to the brand, this extremely complex bottling stands out for its strength of character. The spicy, heady, abundantly fruity and nobly woody palette of flavours and aromas is criss-crossed with dark and herbal sequences that bring great freshness.
Official Tasting Notes:
Colour: orange copper.
Nose: rich, concentrated. Spices (clove, nutmeg, pepper), blood orange, toffee, rock candy and heady florals (carnation, hyacinth) open an aroma palette with a very strong personality. Allowed to breathe, chocolate, vanilla and autumnal fragrances develop (dried leaves).
Palate: svelte, lively. The abundantly fruity flavour palette (banana, pineapple, blueberry, bramble) takes a creamy turn towards vanilla and liquorice (zan liquorice sweets). With time, grated ginger and cinnamon bring great finesse to the mouthfeel. A selection of herbal infusions (vervain, chamomile) arrives at the perfect time to refresh the taste buds.
Finish: long, smooth. Vanilla, honey (acacia) and grains (maize, rye) precede a delicious return to tropical lands (banana, pineapple). The retro- nasal olfaction reveals delicate wood (virgin oak), resin, noble spices (cardamom, saffron), menthol and gentian root.
Bottled at 50% ABV, this is a limited edition run of approximately 220 bottles.
Blanton's Single Barrel #598
According to the brand, is a very subtle combination of classicism and exuberance, this expression unveils, one after the other, all the secrets behind the renown of this American straight bourbon. The nuanced palette of flavours and aromas goes far beyond the borders of Kentucky, venturing even into the world of rum.
Official Tasting Notes:
Nose: rich, concentrated. Opening notes of dark chocolate, ginger, beeswax and iris butter bring lots of drive to the aroma palette. These are followed by impressively present and elegant fragrances of puffed rice, maize and clove. Cocoa powder and grated ginger gradually fill the air.
Palate: clean, distinguished. Drawing out the nose, the flavour palette is characterised by notes of marmalade and lavender honey. Gradually coated in a fine layer of slightly burnt caramel, it then ventures into more tropical lands (mango, guava, flambéed banana). The palate ends on a lovely touch of aniseed.
Finish: long, smooth. With a pleasant hint of medicine (ointment) bringing more energy, the finish then reveals dried fruit and nuts (apricot, date, walnut). Rich notes of coffee éclair and Paris-Brest cake are drawn out by more oriental tones (orange blossom, coriander). The mature retro-nasal olfaction takes us to a radiant autumn (chestnut, dried leaves, sweet chestnut).
Bottled at 60% ABV, this is a limited edition run of approximately 200 bottles.
Kanpai!
88 Bamboo Editorial Team