A Single Barrel Showdown from Buffalo Trace
Few bourbon bottles carry the same level of hype, mystique, and downright collector-fever as Blanton’s. Whether it’s the iconic grenade-shaped bottle, the horse-and-jockey stoppers, or the fact that it sits proudly under the enormous Buffalo Trace Distillery umbrella, Blanton’s has become the bourbon world’s equivalent of a luxury streetwear drop—blink and it’s gone.
Today, we’re putting Blanton’s Original and Blanton’s Gold head-to-head in a detailed versus review. Much like the Ironroot Bourbon Showdown, this comparison won’t declare a “winner” for all people—but it will outline the key differences, strengths, weaknesses, and flavour profiles so you can decide which Blanton’s is truly your style.
But before we throw these two single-barrel icons into the ring, a little context is crucial.
Buffalo Trace & The Blanton’s Legacy
Blanton’s is produced at the Buffalo Trace Distillery, one of America’s oldest continually operating distilleries—and one responsible for some of the most coveted bourbon lines in the world. From Stagg to Weller to Pappy Van Winkle, the distillery has an almost unfair track record for producing bottles that ignite global demand.
Blanton’s holds a special place because it was the world’s first commercially sold single-barrel bourbon, introduced in 1984. Instead of batching multiple barrels together for consistency, single-barrel expressions are bottled from just one cask. This means:
- Each barrel has its own personality.
- Two bottles of Blanton’s Original may taste slightly different.
- Two Blanton’s Gold bottles may vary in sweetness, spice, or depth.
So, while this versus review captures the general character of each expression, your own bottles may lean slightly sweeter, spicier, darker, or more herbal depending on the barrel they came from.
Still, typical profiles emerge—and those are what we’re dissecting here.
The Showdown Begins: Blanton’s Original vs Blanton’s Gold
Both of these bourbons share a mash bill, a distillery, a bottle shape, and a brand lineage. What separates them most obviously is:
- ABV: Original at 46.5% (93 proof) vs Gold at 51.5% (103 proof)
- Availability: Original is easier to find in the U.S., Gold mostly in Europe/Asia
- Flavour Balance: Original = more complexity | Gold = more power
Let’s explore each in detail.
Blanton’s Original – Tasting Notes & Review
Stats
- Age: NAS
- ABV: 46.5% (93 proof)
- Distillery: Buffalo Trace
- Chill-filtered: No
- Natural Colour: Yes (as always with bourbon)
Nose
Blanton’s Original opens with a charming mix of brown-sugar-dusted pancakes, a warm breakfast sweetness that immediately invites you in. But don’t think this is a sugar bomb—there’s an unexpected herbaceous undercurrent of rosemary and thyme, giving the nose a surprisingly elegant lift.
As it opens up, soft, comforting notes of vanilla sponge cake and caramel fudge cream deepen the aroma. The balance between pastry sweetness and herbal complexity is one of the standout traits of Blanton’s Original and a defining reason why it appeals to such a broad audience.
Palate
The palate is richer and darker than the nose suggests. You’re met with dark chocolate, macadamia nut brittle, and a wave of molasses and caramel fudge. A subtle but noticeable thread of liquorice root runs through everything, tying the darker flavours together.
This is where the Original shines: it’s sweet without being cloying, complex without being heavy, and layered without becoming overwhelming.
Finish
The finish is medium-long, leaning into dark chocolate and tobacco. Secondary whispers of black liquorice and cinnamon sit at the back of the palate, adding warmth and a gentle spice.
It’s not a powerhouse finish, but it’s exceptionally well-balanced.
Food Pairing
Blanton’s Original is shockingly versatile.
Sweet pairings:
- Vanilla sponge cake
- Blueberry cheesecake
Savoury pairing:
- Italian cured meats (pastrami, spinata romana)
The herbal note from the nose links beautifully with cured meats, making this an unexpectedly strong dinner dram.
Verdict – Blanton’s Original
Strengths
- Less sweet than many bourbons
- Beautiful dark notes; very approachable
- Iconic bottle and excellent all-rounder profile
Weaknesses
- Price creep has reached absurd levels in many markets
- Drinks like a €60 bourbon… but often costs much more
- Lower ABV means some bourbon drinkers may want more punch
Blanton’s Original remains a crowd-pleaser and arguably the best introduction to the Blanton’s line. It’s balanced, refined, and easy to love.
Blanton’s Gold – Tasting Notes & Review
Stats
- Age: NAS
- ABV: 51.5% (103 proof)
- Distillery: Buffalo Trace
- Chill-filtered: No
- Natural Colour: Yes
Nose
Blanton’s Gold starts where the Original begins—but then deepens dramatically. You get the same brown sugar warmth, but layered beneath it are mocha, espresso beans, and extra dark chocolate. It feels more roasted, more robust, and more intense.
But it’s not all darkness—there’s a beautiful touch of cherry blossom and a unique gooseberry compote note that gives the nose added dimension. It’s arguably more aromatic and more dramatic than the Original.
Palate
This is where the Gold diverges more sharply.
The black liquorice found in the Original becomes the star of the show—bold, punchy, and immediate. It’s one of the defining traits of higher-proof Blanton’s barrels and here it sings.
Next comes caramel cream, extra dark chocolate, and a deeper roastiness. Strangely, while the flavours are bigger and bolder, the palate feels a touch less complex.
More intensity, less nuance.
Finish
Now the Gold hits back hard. The finish is long, powerful, and full of depth. Black liquorice remains dominant, supported by waves of caramel, vanilla custard, and surprising touches of salmiak and bay leaf.
This is a finish you can sit with for minutes.
Food Pairing
Blanton’s Gold pairs beautifully with richer food.
Savoury:
- Wild boar stew
- Roast pheasant
Sweet:
- Panna cotta topped with rhubarb compote
The higher proof helps cut through the density of game and rich desserts beautifully.
Verdict – Blanton’s Gold
Strengths
- Gorgeous, bold nose
- Exceptional finish
- One of the most visually striking bottles in bourbon
Weaknesses
- Palate lacks some complexity
- Very expensive and increasingly scarce
- Higher ABV doesn’t always translate to “better” here
Blanton’s Gold is the more dramatic whiskey of the two—but not necessarily the more balanced.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Original vs Gold
Here’s the distilled takeaway for readers deciding between them:
Flavour Profile
- Blanton’s Original: Balanced, complex, sweet-herbal interplay
- Blanton’s Gold: Bolder, darker, more roasted flavours
Nose
- Original: Gentle complexity
- Gold: Deeper, sweeter, more intense
Palate
- Original: More layered, more nuanced
- Gold: More powerful, slightly less complex
Finish
- Original: Medium, warm, chocolate-tobacco
- Gold: Long, bold, liquorice-driven
Value
- Original: Drinks well below current market price but still excellent
- Gold: Impressive but difficult to justify at secondary pricing
Final Thoughts — Which One Should You Buy?
If you prefer complexity, approachability, and balance, go for Blanton’s Original.
If you prefer boldness, higher proof, and deeper roasted flavours, choose Blanton’s Gold.
For collectors? Well… you’re buying both anyway. Let’s not pretend.
For drinkers who just want a great bourbon? Blanton’s Original often delivers more for the money—assuming you’re paying something close to retail.
But no matter which one you choose, remember:
They’re single-barrel bourbons.
Your bottle will never taste exactly like this review—or anyone else’s.
That’s part of the magic.
