Blanton's Single Barrel 2012

Blanton’s is produced by Sazerac, one of the biggest players on the American market. This single barrel of Blanton’s is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon. It has an orange sheen on it. I tried this for the first time at my good friend Jan VC’s birthday party (thanks for the extra sample!).

Once the nose opens up (which takes a while) I get a surprising amount of citrus. Think orange peel (without being zesty) as well as dried lemon. The some caramel and vanilla, which make him pretty sweet. There is a hint of strawberries, but rather in the background. Spice-wise, I get mostly anise, translating into an unexpected hint of English salty candy. Liquorice as well.

It is full and creamy on the palate. A lot spicier than on the nose. Liquorice returns, but also a truckload of cloves and vanilla. The fruit recedes to make room for candied sugar.

The finish is pretty long and allows the citrus to return to the fore.

A nicely balanced bourbon, sure, but all in all not that much going on.

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